Orlando Pirates

Monnapule Saleng of Orlando Pirates during DStv Premiership 2022/23 match between Orlando Pirates and Golden Arrows on the 14 January 2022 at Orlando Stadium © Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

Monnapule Saleng is Orlando Pirates’ chosen one

Club legend Lucky Lekgwathi believes that Monnapule Saleng could be a talismanic player for Orlando Pirates for years to come.

Orlando Pirates

Monnapule Saleng of Orlando Pirates during DStv Premiership 2022/23 match between Orlando Pirates and Golden Arrows on the 14 January 2022 at Orlando Stadium © Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

Club legend Lucky Lekgwathi believes that Monnapule Saleng could be a talismanic player for Orlando Pirates for years to come.

Lekgwathi has had his eye on Saleng for some time and has tried to impress upon his the importance of his role at the Buccaneers.

Monnapule Saleng to lead Orlando Pirates to glory

With the DStv Premiership’s Players’ Player of the Season and MTN8 Last Man Standing awards already in his locker, Lekgwathi believes Saleng could be a difference-maker in the club’s pursuit of another league title.

ALSO READ: The latest PSL transfer rumours

“He can carry Pirates. I first met him in Polokwane and we took a picture together and spoke about a lot of things, but most importantly I explained to him what it means to wear that jersey number 14,” Lekgwathi told SowetanLive.  

He added: “I told him the history of that number and that there are people who have worn it before and didn’t represent it properly.

Lekgwathi urged him to keep working: “I also asked him what he is busy with as it was off-season that time and he told me he was doing some extra training. I further advised him to keep doing that so he can stay ahead of other players and when the season started he was so lethal and uncontrollable,” he said. 

Orlando Pirates Kaizer Chiefs
Monnapule Saleng of Orlando Pirates celebrates a victory during the 2023 Nedbank Cup final match between Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United FC at Loftus Stadium in Pretoria on 27 May 2023 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

New season brings fresh expectations

Pirates are currently in Spain for their pre-season camp with Jose Riveiro introducing a new approach at the club.

Silverware and second place was enough to keep everyone just about happy last term but more is expected of Pirates in the coming season.

Orlando Pirates kick-off their PSL campaign on 5 August when they travel to the Cape to face Stellenbosch FC.