Monnapule Saleng transfer update: Will he join Kaizer Chiefs from Orlando Pirates?
Monnapule Saleng’s (right) potential transfer from Orlando Pirates to Kaizer Chiefs remains uncertain amid salary dispute rumours, with his absence impacting Pirates and speculation about his suitability for the Soweto Giants. Picture: Phill Magakoe/AFP
Image: Phill Magakoe/AFP
It’s been almost a month since it first emerged that Orlando Pirates player Monnapule Saleng could be making a move to Kaizer Chiefs, and the lack of updates does not bode well.
Saleng is still contracted to Pirates until 2027, but has not featured for the club since December.
The 27-year-old, according to reports, is believed to have been absent from the field due to a salary dispute.
However, since there has been no official word from Pirates, the rumours continue to swirl.
Rumours of Saleng’s Move to ‘Other’ Soweto Giants and His Impact on Pirates
Last month, one of those rumours was that Saleng could be making the move down the road to ‘other’ Soweto Giants.
As one of the best wingers in the country and not known to be nursing any kind of injury, his absence was keenly felt by Pirates supporters this past season.
Saleng was last in action for Pirates on December 7 when they hosted Al Ahly in a CAF Champions League match at Orlando Stadium, which ended in a goalless draw.
Saleng, however, was selected for Bafana Bafana in their African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifier in Bloemfontein in early March and, by all accounts, delivered a top performance.
Former Pirates midfielder Benedict Vilakazi, who spent the majority of his career (1999 - 2007) at the Soweto Giants, weighed in on the Saleng issue, saying he would not be a good fit.
“Is he [Saleng] that type of a player that can really play for Chiefs, the way they are playing? I don’t think so. An example, look at [Gaston] Sirino, he’s no more the Sirino we knew at Sundowns, because of the type of players surrounding him,” Vilakazi said on omniaudioafrica YouTube Channel.