Bafana Bafana touched down in Johannesburg on Thursday morning after their latest World Cup qualifiers, but the returning flight was missing one key figure. Orlando Pirates winger Oswin Appollis was notably absent from the squad that landed, reigniting speculation around a potential overseas transfer. The timing is particularly telling, coming just days after teammate Relebohile Mofokeng skipped the team’s return to travel directly to Belgium, where he completed his move to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. With Appollis now nowhere to be seen, attention has quickly shifted to whether the 24-year-old is about to follow the same path abroad.
Appollis has been a standout performer for Orlando Pirates this season, racking up 12 goals and 9 assists across all competitions as the club claimed the Betway Premiership title. His explosive first campaign in black and white has drawn serious interest from beyond South Africa’s borders, with Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire having already submitted an official offer last season—one that Orlando Pirates rejected. Since then, the winger’s value has only climbed further, thanks to his continued form for both club and country. While no official reason has been given for his absence from the returning Bafana