Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has highlighted the key area in which Oswin Appollis has significantly improved since joining Orlando Pirates.
The 24-year-old winger joined the Buccaneers at the start of the season after leaving Polokwane City. He had already been a regular in the national team setup and featured in the previous AFCON tournament.
Appollis is again expected to play a key role for Broos’ side at the upcoming continental showpiece in Morocco later this month.
Broos says he is pleased with the winger’s progress, noting that Appollis now works far harder off the ball than he did before, when he was just an attacking threat with limited defensive contribution.
He added that the winger’s lack of height doesn’t hold him back anymore, as he puts in extra effort to challenge players who are taller than him.
“Oswin has made a very big progression, so when I first saw him play in his former team, the qualities were there but it was only in the offensive way,” said Broos.
“I think Oswin has become more mature now, he’s playing at Pirates. I think his coach there has helped him a lot. I see him working now, he works a lot.
“He’s dangerous on the ball, he’s a good passer of the ball and he has become very important for Orlando Pirates and he’s been important for Bafana Bafana in the past games.
“He’s scored goals, always dangerous when he’s on the ball. He helps us a lot when we don’t have the ball. He’s progressed a lot.
“Even though he’s small, he has the energy of someone who’s two times higher than him. I’m very happy with him really.”