Phuti Mohafe’s Biggest Regret: Letting Oswin Appollis Go

Polokwane City head coach Phuti Mohafe is still reeling after the departure of rising star Oswin Appollis a move he now calls one of his biggest regrets. The talented midfielder recently made a dream debut for Orlando Pirates, scoring and assisting in a clinical 2–0 MTN8 quarterfinal victory against none other than his former club.

Mohafe, who had once underestimated Appollis’s potential, is now openly mourning the loss. “It feels like losing a family member,” he confessed, watching from the sidelines as Appollis dismantled his former teammates with composure and class.

What stung even more is that the very move that led to Appollis’s goal was one they had drilled relentlessly at Polokwane City. “That was our play, he perfected it here. I taught him that. But Pirates sharpened him,” Mohafe admitted.

Appollis’s meteoric rise is a bittersweet story. From overlooked squad member to MTN8 Man of the Match, he has quickly become one of South Africa’s most exciting prospects and a painful reminder of what Polokwane City let slip away.

Now, with key players like Thabang Matuludi sidelined and the team looking to rebuild, Mohafe is counting on Levy Mashiane to step into bigger shoes. But replacing Appollis? That’s a mountain few can climb.

Mohafe’s lesson is clear: never underestimate talent, because once it’s gone especially to a rival it might just come back to haunt you in the most spectacular way.