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 Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Is Orlando Pirates talisman Monnapule Saleng injured?

On international duty, Monnapule Saleng has shown that he is the clear future of Orlando Pirates and his time is now.

by James Richardson

05-10-2023 14:12

in Premier Soccer League

Questions have been raised about the fitness of Mannapule Saleng ahead of the MTN 8 final.

Jwaneng Galaxy head coach Moremi Ramoreboli was surprised by the absence Orlando Pirates’ talisman in their Champions League elimination.

Is Monnapule Saleng injured?

Ramoreboli couldn’t wrap his head around the failure to produce Saleng.

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“I thought, honestly speaking, Saleng would come in because how they were playing it was more of his game; utilising that width more and creating those one-vs-one (situations),” Ramoreboli said.

“But maybe [it was] for reasons known to the [Pirates] coach because they are playing the [MTN8] final, maybe the coach decided he can’t risk all his players.

“But during the game I thought Saleng would come in because Pirates wanted to stretch us so that they could play into the box.

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“I felt that he was going to give us a problem, like it happened when (Karim) Kimvuidi came on because I think they needed someone that can hold more to the ball and Kimvuidi was giving them that.

“I think again it was a matter of trying to control areas. We tried our best to control those areas.”

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Monnapule Saleng to lead Orlando Pirates to glory

Lucky Lekgwathi feels that rising star Monnapule Saleng will be a central 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.

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

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“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.