Apollis warns Bucs: don’t sleep on Gallants

Oswin Appollis

Johannesburg – As Orlando Pirates prepare for Saturday’s Carling Knockout Cup final against Marumo Gallants, winger Oswin Appollis has urged his teammates not to get complacent.

“Marumo Gallants are a very strong team and we won’t go there and undermine them. It’s our job to work as hard as they do to get the trophy,” Appollis said during the media session ahead of the final, according to The Citizen.

Final set — history, stakes and recent form

  • The final will be held at New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, with kickoff at 6 pm.

  • Pirates reached the final after a tight 1–0 semifinal win over Richards Bay FC at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

  • Meanwhile, Gallants punched their ticket with a dramatic 4–2 victory on penalties over Lamontville Golden Arrows, after the match ended 2–2 following extra time.

This will be the first time the two clubs meet in a Carling Knockout final. Their past cup meetings — in the Nedbank Cup — show a rivalry peppered with surprises.

Depth and momentum: Why Pirates believe they have the edge

Appollis has been among several players to benefit from the influx of new signings at Pirates this season. He specifically named teammates such as Relebohile Mofokeng, Sipho Mbule and Tshepang Moremi — saying the increased competition and quality have helped everyone improve.

“There is a lot of work still to be done on my part, but my teammates are helping me. I just have to continue doing my job,” Times Live quoted him as saying, adding he is benefiting from the class of player and coaching staff around him at Betway Premiership title-chasing Bucs.

“Because of the quality Pirates have in the team, I have improved as a person and player, and I am not the only one who is improving. I can mention players such as Relebohile Mofokeng, ‘Sphola’ [Sipho Mbule] and Tshepang Moremi.”

The club’s overall form adds weight to their confidence. According to coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, Pirates have gone several matches unbeaten, and defensively they have not conceded in recent outings, while their attack remains potent.

Their run to the final, combined with recent domestic-cup success (they already lifted the MTN8 Cup earlier this season) shows a side building momentum across competitions.

“Pirates have been in impressive form in cup competitions this campaign, having already lifted the MTN8 trophy earlier in the season. Their narrow 1-0 semi-final win over Richards Bay FC at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday booked them a second consecutive domestic final — a testament to coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s growing influence in his debut season in charge,”sbnews reported.

Gallants won’t be pushovers

But Gallants are hardly to be written off. Their path to the final was hard-earned, and their confidence is boosted by the fact they already beat Pirates in the league earlier this season.

Their coach, Alexandre Lafitte, has publicly expressed belief that his squad can upset Pirates — and insists they have had time to prepare tactically for the showdown.

Given this background and Gallants’ potential to spring surprises, Appollis’s warning to avoid underestimation rings especially true.

Appollis: From Polokwane newcomer to key member

The 24-year-old left Polokwane City at the start of the season to join Pirates, and he says the move has helped him elevate his game significantly. The presence of quality teammates and healthy internal competition, he argues, has pushed him to grow — not just individually but as part of a squad striving for silverware.

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Interestingly, Appollis revealed that Sipho Mbule — a teammate he knew from their time at SuperSport United — played a key role in facilitating his move to Pirates. Mbule reportedly asked the club chairman to sign him, underlining the role of existing relationships in shaping transfers.

What to expect on Saturday

With everything on the line — trophy, momentum, bragging rights — the final is shaping up to offer a high-stakes, high-intensity contest. Former Pirates coach Jose Riveiro predicts a “vertical” final — fast, aggressive, and attack-minded — a style in which both teams have shown capability.

Given their form, squad depth, and confidence, Pirates might enter as favourites. But with Gallants’ unpredictable cup-run, previous win over Pirates, and belief under Lafitte, this final could go either way — provided Pirates deliver the focus Appollis demands.

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