Jose Riveiro weighs in on Saleng’s absence at Orlando Pirates

Coach Jose Riveiro has weighed in on the prolonged absence of Monnapule Saleng in his Orlando Pirates team.

Saleng has been in the news since being frozen out at Bucs with many asking whether or not he is still in Riveiro’s plans.

He last featured for the Buccaneers on 7 December 2024 against Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League at Orlando Stadium.

Subsequent to that, news of him possibly leaving Pirates resurfaced but the club dismissed those reports as unfounded.

Indeed Saleng stayed put after the closing of the January transfer window but he is still yet to kick a ball for Pirates this year.

As previously reported on The South African website, Saleng’s absence has to do with a January failed move to Al Ahly.

However, there appears to be more to the saga than Pirates reportedly denying him an opportunity to join Al Ahly.

Now, asked how he feels as a coach not to have a player of Saleng’s quality in his team, Riveiro politely avoided the question.

The 45-year-old mentor admitted that the Saleng saga is above him, adding that it’s not in his character to talk about individual players.

JOSE RIVEIRO ON SALENG’S ORLANDO PIRATES ABSENCE

“I don’t think about players when we win or when we don’t win. I think no one wanted to be in this situation when we started the season, but it is that,” Riveiro told the media.

“As you know, it’s not my role to speak so much about that issue, I just wish for the best for both sides in this case. We focus on the players that we have; that’s it.

“Luckily, we have a lot of talent in the team; we have players with a lot of hunger wanting to use their opportunities, and like I said, the opportunities are presented to them,” added Riveiro.

“We have players in every position capable to do the job, and that’s it; we have to live in the moment and look to the future.

“The future for us is to get ready tomorrow for the big match on the weekend. There’s no time to think so much about who’s there or who’s not.”

IS THERE NOTHING THE COACH CAN DO ABOUT THIS?

Let us know by leaving a comment below THIS article or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.

Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.