“I thought Saleng will come in” says Jwaneng Galaxy coach

Just like many football fans, Jwaneng Galaxy head coach Morena Ramoreboli was surprised not to see Monnapule Saleng on the pitch during the CAF Champions League second-leg match.

The Buccaneers were dumped out of the tournament following a penalty shootout. The two-legged tie ended 1-1 which forced the second-leg match to go into penalties.

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Saleng’s absence surprised fans

Ramoreboli’s side managed to concede one goal at the Orlando Stadium to take the game to penalties. This was not the first time the SA-born coach eliminated Pirates. In 2013, while coaching Maluti FET College, Ramoreboli eliminated the Buccaneers from the Nedbank Cup.

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The Soweto giants started with Deon Hotto, Kermit Erasmus and Zakhele Lepasa but one man who was missing was Saleng.

Jwaneng coach said he was surprise that the winger did not play the second leg.

“I thought honestly speaking Saleng will come in, because how they were playing, I think it was more of his game, utilising that width more, creating those one-v-ones,” Ramoreboli said after the match.

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“But maybe, for reasons known to the coach, and maybe because they’re playing the final, maybe the coach decided that he can’t risk all his players.

“But during the game, I thought Saleng will come in, because Pirates wanted to stretch us so that they can play into the box,” said the Jwaneng coach.

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