Monnapule Saleng’s future brightens with new Orlando Pirates coach arrival
Monnapule Saleng’s (pictured) future at Orlando Pirates may revive with new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, as speculation about his potential move to Kaizer Chiefs fades, and he is considered for the upcoming Spain trip. Picture: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
The arrival of new Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou at the club, it could signal a revival for Monnapule Saleng according to insiders at the Soweto Giants.
Saleng has been out of favour at Pirates since December last year and has not featured in the side since then, apparently over a wage dispute.
With no official on the word on the player from Pirates for months, the speculation has been rife about the future of Saleng even though he is still under contract until June next year.
There have even been rumours about Saleng joining arch rivals Kaizer Chiefs, but that talk has also died down with no new developments.
Saleng’s Future with Pirates: Potential Inclusion in Spain Trip
According to a Soccer Laduma report, Saleng’s future could still be with Pirates according to an undisclosed source at the club when asked about the player.
“The coach is expected to give everyone a clean slate. The plan is to go to Spain with the strongest possible group, and he (Saleng) is very much in the conversation,” said a Siya source.
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 at Chiefs.
“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.