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
Orlando Pirates boss clears the air on strange Saleng situation
It’s been a weird season for the Bucs superstar but he produced a scintillating Derby display.
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
Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has written off notions that Monnapule Saleng is now a forgotten man in the Bucs squad. The wide man put Kaizer Chiefs to the sword in Saturday’s Soweto Derby.
Form is temporary, class is permanent
Monnapule Saleng has warmed the bench for seven of the last 12 league matches. However, Jose Riveiro handed him a start against Kaizer Chiefs and he took it with both hands. Saleng’s brace helped Pirates to a thrilling 3-2 win when they twice had to come from behind. Riveiro has addressed the 25-year-old’s situation:
“Saleng didn’t have a good half of the season for multiple reasons, we cannot discuss it in this space, in the AFCON break I think he did a very good job in the second pre-season we had, in the training matches,” Riveiro said about the ‘forgotten’ Saleng.
“He came in to play Sundowns, in Pretoria, not a bad job. And then we couldn’t have continuity with him for something simple like the flu that separated him from the group when we travelled to Polokwane.
“And then we used the game against Crystal Lake to see other options, use other players and then Wednesday he could have been an option from the bench against Cape Town Spurs, he was ready to play but in the end, I tried something different and kept him ready to play this game the way he did it.
“He’s not a forgotten player that’s for sure, you saw him today, he needs our support also, our help to be again the Saleng that everybody saw last season – and he’s right now he’s doing the right steps.”
SALENG SIZZLES AGAINST KAIZER CHIEFS IN EPIC SOWETO DERBY
Monnapule Saleng has been a bit-part player for the Buccaneers this season. Last term he dazzled with 15 goals and 11 assists from 30 appearances across all competitions. In 2023/24, however, he has been a shadow of himself, but the left-footer reminded us of his class with a match-winning brace against Chiefs. Riveiro’s gamble to replace Karim Kimvuidi paid rich dividends. Pirates will also feel vindicated after dominating large spells of the match and having a couple of penalty shouts turned down. The Sea Robbers produced six shots on target to Chiefs’ two and enjoyed 58% of the possession.
Meanwhile, Amakhosi supporters must now spend the rest of the weekend digesting a defeat to their archrivals.
Should Saleng be restored to the Pirates starting XI for the foreseeable future? Let us know in the comments.
Meanwhile, hit up James Freemantle for more insights, analysis and love for the beautiful game.
Also, follow The South African on X for up-to-the-minute news updates
