Oswin Appollis & Thabang Matuludi! Kaizer Chiefs & Orlando Pirates handed transfer encouragement by Polokwane City official - 'You have to lose some'

Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates seem to have received major transfer boosts as Polokwane City resign themselves to the fact that their key players will leave.

Oswin Appollis has been linked with a move to Amakhosi and Bucs, while Thabang Matuludi is heavily rumoured to be on his way to join the Buccaneers.

Polokwane City head coach Phuti Mohafe has accepted the fact that the two players might not be part of his future squad.

"That has been every team's mandate or method to say, 'We need to strengthen, and you have to lose some.' You cannot bring in some, and you still have a load of players who are still remaining on the team," Phuti told the media.

"And the speculation has been there, so let them continue, and I don't want to mention names as to who are being touted. So let it be. Whoever goes, let him go, and whoever stays, let him stay."

A Soccer Laduma source close to the club has revealed that Apollis and Matuludi are on their way out.

"What we believe is that apparently the talks involving Appollis and Kaizer Chiefs are at an advanced stage," the source stated.

"Yes, it's believed that Orlando Pirates are close to signing Thabang Matuludi, so the way things are, the two Soweto giants could get a player each from Polokwane City at the start of next season."

The two players were an integral part of Rise and Shine as they chased and finally grabbed a top-eight finish.

Their departure is set to disrupt the club's plans for the future, given how important they have been.

Appollis represents what Chiefs need at the moment, given how their striking department struggled in the 2024/25 season. Indeed, head coach Nasreddine Nabi complained and indicated that if Amakhosi had a lethal striker, they would have finished the season in a respectable position.

Pirates are also expected to strengthen, especially after falling short in both the Caf Champions League and Premier Soccer League campaigns.

Appolis has one more year remaining in his current season, and that could present a challenge to his wish to leave. Polokwane might decide not to release him until maybe when his contract runs down.

Given the rumours linking him with Pirates, Matuludi's future will attract massive speculation.