If Pirates tackled the strife head-on, Monnapule Saleng would have been in Orbit long ago

Thank goodness Monnapule Saleng will finally return to action after Orlando Pirates cold-shouldered him for months.

The Saleng saga resonates with the tumultuous world of professional football, where a contract dispute can lead to a dramatic fall from grace.

Once celebrated by fans for his electrifying performances, Saleng's standing at Pirates has spiralled downward since late 2024, when he played against Al Ahly.

Since then, a combination of being sidelined and the club's apparent indifference has left him stuck in limbo, deprived of competitive play and clarity regarding his future.

The situation reached a tipping point earlier this year when Saleng's frustrations boiled over, leading to a public rift with the club's management. His exclusion from pre-season preparations, particularly the Spain-bound camp, signalled that his time with the Sea Robbers was nearing its end.

Rumblings around a wage dispute hinted at more than just simple contractual misunderstanding; it painted a picture of a larger struggle for respect and recognition that many players endure behind the scenes.

The discord could have been mitigated had the management chosen to engage in dialogue from the outset. Instead, the Pirates' reluctance to address the issue has resulted in a significant fallout, and one would have expected a higher standard of accountability from the club.

Analysts were taken aback by the club's apparent hesitance to confront the conflict head-on. In the sporting world, where unity and teamwork are paramount, Pirates' eschewing of proactive measures is viewed as a missed opportunity to demonstrate leadership.

Fans feel that, as one of the biggest teams in South Africa, Pirates should have been the larger entity, going above and beyond to resolve the issue instead of allowing it to fester. The club's apparent indifference has left him stuck in limbo, deprived of competitive play and clarity regarding his future.

Pirates have agreed to loan Saleng to Premiership newcomers Orbit College FC for the 2025/26 season. This provides a glimmer of hope as the club is finally allowing the 27-year-old to return to local football,

He launched his professional career at Orbit College and then had a stint with Free State Stars, before making the move to one of the country's most prestigious clubs Pirates.

While Saleng’s time at Pirates has been mired in frustration, this loan might provide a crucial opportunity for rejuvenation. It’s an exit that bears the promise of revival, whereby he can rebuild his form and confidence before potentially rejoining Pirates’ setup in the future.

Fans will undoubtedly be watching closely to see if their former favourite can recapture the spark that made him a household name in South African football.