Orlando Pirates’ signing of Oswin Appollis will ring louder for their biggest rivals Kaizer Chiefs after they let slip the opportunity to sign the Bafana Bafana winger.
Following repeated efforts stretching back to last year, Appollis has had his wish of leaving Polokwane City granted.
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His new employers will be at the opposite end of where he could have been on a bargain two years ago.
This website has been told that after completing the only season he spent at Pretoria Callies after being rescued from giving up on football, Chiefs were presented with Appollis’ name.
Chiefs made considerations and weighed their options.
Callies were convinced that the Motsepe Foundation Championship wasn’t where Appollis needed to continue playing.
However, Chiefs ultimately became didn’t show any desire in placing an investment on the then 21-year-old for what could have been negotiated to a R1,5 million transfer.
The decision-making hierarchy at the club is aware of this.
Polokwane City then came into the picture with the Limpopo club’s chairman Johnny Mogaladi using his close links with Callies boss Moses Malada to seal the deal after paying a transfer fee.
In the two spent up north, Appollis’ value has shot tenfold during which he has grown to establish himself as a Bafana Bafana regular.
Along the way last season, Chiefs showed interest and were now keen to pay almost R10 million, but they were turned down.
The estimation put was that Appollis’ value was now approaching R20 million.
There were also attempts to move Appollis to Algerian giants MC Alger, but it was all unsuccessful.
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The 23-year-old reported back to Polokwane City for pre-season on June 23 but was already aware that he will move when the July 1 transfer bell rings.
His move to Pirates was then completed between Mogaladi and Pirates chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza.
The initial talks started in December last year.
Photo: Philip Maeta/Gallo Images
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