With recent reports indicating Kaizer Chiefs are pursuing a Polokwane City winger, the club's head coach has discussed whether two of the team's prominent players will leave the club.
Addressing the media after leading the team to another top-eight finish, coach Phuti Mohafe confirmed that there will be players leaving the club though he could not mention their names.
However, now an insider has further indicated that Rise and Shine are believed to be preparing for the losses of both star players Oswin Appollis and Thabang Matuludi for the start of next season.
First, this is what Mohafe had to say on the matter of players leaving the club, not ruling out the departure of Appollis or Matuludi.
"That has been every team's mandate or method to say, 'we need to strengthen and you have to lose some'. You cannot bring in some and you still have a load of players who are still remaining in the team. And the speculation has been there so let them continue and I don't want to mention names as to who and who are being touted. So let it be, whoever goes let him go, and whoever stays let him stay," Mohafe told journalists.
The insider close to the club then indicated how Appollis, who missed the final game of the season against Kaizer Chiefs, and defender Matuludi, are both set to leave the club at the end of June.
"What we believe is that apparently the talks involving Appollis and Kaizer Chiefs are at an advanced stage. Yes, it's believed that Orlando Pirates are close to signing Thabang Matuludi so the way things are, the two Soweto giants could get a player each from Polokwane City at the start of next season," the source revealed to Soccer Laduma.
Technically, Appollis still has one year remaining on his contract as his current deal runs until June 2026, so Polokwane could hold onto him if they wanted to.
Soccer Laduma contacted Polokwane City for comment but there was no response at the time of publishing this story.
This potential double departure represents a significant challenge for Polokwane City despite their successful season. Having secured another top-eight finish, losing key contributors like Appollis and Matuludi would force a squad rebuild just as they look to establish themselves as consistent performers in the top half of the table.
For the Soweto giants, these potential acquisitions would address specific needs – Chiefs looking to bolster their attacking options ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup campaign, while Pirates seek defensive reinforcements as they prepare for potential coaching changes.
How Polokwane City reinvest any transfer fees received could ultimately determine whether they can maintain their impressive league standing in the coming season.
