View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Soccer Laduma (@soccer_laduma)

Login

How Broos Has Handled Mofokeng, Appollis Tactical Dilemma

How Broos Has Handled Mofokeng, Appollis Tactical Dilemma

Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis of Orlando Pirates

With the ongoing debate on whether Oswin Appollis and Relebohile Mofokeng should start together in the starting line-up at Orlando Pirates, Soccer Laduma gets insight on how Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has handled this tactical dilemma.

Appollis has established himself a little bit more than Mofokeng in the Bafana setup, with 11 caps compared the 20-year-old's nine appearances.

However, the Pirates crowd favourite has earned his place in the senior team for the past two seasons, with pundits and supporters debating on whether new head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has made the right call to shift him away from left wing to accommodate the former Polokwane City winger. 

Ouaddou: Where Pirates Must Improve

In Pirates' last two games against Stellenbosch FC and Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8, Ouddou has included both players in the staring line-up, with Appollis playing on the left flank while Mofokeng was given a lot more license to roam, especially when Patrick Maswaganyi was not on the field.

When Mofokeng made his debut for Bafana, a one minute cameo off the bench in a 1-1 draw against Nigeria, Appollis had been on the line-up in June 2024 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. 

With the Sharpeville-born attacker's stock rising at the Buccaneers, Broos did not disturb his system, as the 20-year-old played 16 minutes off the bench, with the former Rise and Shine winger starting in a 2-2 draw against Uganda three months later. 

The 23-year-old was on fire for South Africa in the subsequent World Cup qualifier in October 2024, scoring a brace in a 3-2 win over South Sudan in the line-up, as Mofokeng came off the bench in the last 16 minutes.

When Bafana hammered Congo-Brazzaville 5-0 a few days later, Appollis had three assists from the line-up, as the nimble-footed attacker also came on as a late substitute. 

SA drew 1-1 with Congo in the return fixture, as the speedy winger was on the line-up, with Mofokeng not used on the bench.  

READ: Rumours: Minnesota United Table Bid For Rele Mofokeng

The 20-year-old was on the bench for the second successive World Cup qualifier in November when Broos' charges beat Uganda 2-0, with Appollis in the starting XI. 

Mofokeng returned to play 16 minutes in a 3-0 win over South Sudan, with the 23-year-old remaining first choice for Broos in the line-up. 

With Appollis not in the squad when SA played Lesotho in a World Cup qualifier on March, Mofokeng eventually made his first start in a 2-0 win. 

'The President' started the second successive World Cup qualifier in a 2-0 win over Benin and was replaced by Appollis later in the game. 

In the last two friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique, both Mofokeng and Appollis did not start the match together, replacing each other in both games. 

As things stand, the two Pirates attackers are yet to start together for Bafana, with the duo forming part of the preliminary squad named this week.  

Image: Backpages

Related tags

Pirates & Chiefs Early Fixtures A Threat To Downs' Season?

Ribeiro Fights Sundowns For Exit

Mudau Saga Deepens – Downs Could Turn To PSL Defender For Answers

Comments

Top 5

BREAKING: Sundowns Release Statement On Ribeiro

Aug 21, 2025 05:51 PM in Mamelodi-Sundowns

Cardoso: Pirates Star Was The Difference

Aug 23, 2025 09:10 PM in Mamelodi-Sundowns

Minnesota 'Receive' R132m Cash Boost Amid Mofokeng Interest

Aug 21, 2025 11:41 AM in International

Pitso Hit With Multi-Million Rand Sundowns Blow

Aug 22, 2025 02:54 PM in Mamelodi-Sundowns

3 Bafana Injuries? Pirates Stars To Step Up

Aug 22, 2025 12:40 PM in Bafana

New Details Emerge In Marc Brys’ ‘Fake’ Resignation

Aug 21, 2025 11:35 AM in African Football

Benni Earns Even More Praise From Rival Tactician

Aug 21, 2025 10:37 AM in African Football

Cardoso: Sundowns Locker Room Impossible To Rip

Aug 22, 2025 09:51 AM in Mamelodi-Sundowns