Monnapule Saleng “will be back”

A source close to Orlando Pirates believes Monnapule Saleng’s return is imminent. Here’s what we found out.

Pirates stars Mofokeng and Saleng. Image from Instagram@vino_snap

Orlando Pirates winger Monnapule Saleng has been missing in action for nearly four months due to salary demands the club deem unjustified.

The stubbornness of the ordeal has transitioned into pettiness; neither the club nor the player is budging, insinuating a messy divorce that shows no signs of being resolved—however, an inside source believes otherwise.

“Who is saying that [Saleng will leave]?,” a Siya source questioned.

“There is no such thing, and he remains a Orlando Pirates player. He would have been released in January if that was the case, but that didn’t happen because he is still in the club’s plans,

“You can see that there is space for him in the like when [Mohau] Nkota didn’t have a great game in the derby, he [Saleng] would have been an option to replace him had he been available, but he was not in the matchday squad. He will be back.”

Saleng is yet to comment about his future at the club.

Incoming fixtures

The Saleng-less Orlando Pirates travel to MC Alger next week for the first-leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash. Jose Riveiro enters the knockout stages in fine-form, beating league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns in their last outing.

It’s been thirty-years since the Buccaneers lifted the coveted Champions League trophy – this is arguably their best shot at the title since.

MC Alger vs Pirates (April 1, 21:00)

Polokwane City vs Pirates (April 6, 15:00)

Pirates vs MC Alger (April 9, 18:00)

SuperSport United vs Pirates (April 20, 17:30)

Pirates vs Magesi (April 25, 19:30)

Kaizer Chiefs vs Pirates (May 3, 15:00)