Polokwane City coach Phuti Mohape has handed a word of advice to Bafana Bafana star Oswin Appollis.
The speedy winger has enjoyed a meteoric rise since the start of the season and made the final 23-man squad that went to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) where Bafana would claim a bronze medal.
READ | 'My mind was always on being at Bafana one day'
Surprisingly, Appollis went straight back into the starting line-up for Rose and Shine, playing 84 minutes when they defeated Moroka Swallows 2-0 at Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday.
"The decision to start him (Appollis) came from seeing that he came from a long trip, he played in the last match (third-place playoff against DR Congo)," Mohape told journalists when asked on the decision to start Appollis immediately after AFCON.
"You cannot take that mentality and say I want to bring him on in the second half. He might bring a lethargic performance into the match in the second half and you find out he’s not giving you what you expect.
"So we would rather start with that kind of a player."
KickOff reported that City are already bracing for the sale of Appollis at the end of the season according to insiders, with several topflight teams having shortlisted the 22-year-old who has continued five goals and three assists in 18 appearances.
ALSO READ | Polokwane City brace as top Prem teams begin Appollis chase
Additionally, Appollis will be aiming to keep his place in the national team and Bafana brace for the World Cup qualifiers. Mohape warned that Appollis will have maintain his form.
"One, he has to keep his position (spot) in the national team, that should be a motivation in itself," Mohape added.
"Two is that he has to stay humble and respectful. That is how he is going to stay in the match (on top of his game).
Polokwane City's win against Swallows takes them up to eighth on the DStv Premiership table.
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