Ex-Kaizer Chiefs forward weighs in on Monnapule Saleng's Orlando Pirates saga before Orbit College loan move – 'Players don’t have power; it’s so painful'

Former Kaizer Chiefs forward Junior Khanye has described Monnapule Saleng's situation at Orlando Pirates as a painful experience.

The former Bafana Bafana forward has also criticised the club's move to extend the forward's contract at a time the two parties were at loggerheads.

“It’s sad to be a football player sometimes because players don’t have power,” Khanye told iDiski TV as per iDiski Times.

“That guy has done well for himself, make no mistake. You can’t even overlook the things he has achieved, though. If I compare him with the likes of [Mohau] Nkota, I believe they are better than him," he added.

“But for Pirates to release [sic.] him, I don’t think it’s a good thing because why sign him for two years? What I know, and other players can agree with me, is that the option to renew favours teams."

Khanye has also painted a picture of how players sometimes are powerless when it comes to matters of contracts.

“Let me give you an example: if my contract is ending in August, they’ll give me a letter in April to say, ‘You don’t talk to anyone; you come and report here. The option favours them, and yes, it does need your signature," he explained.

“That's why players need to learn to read their contracts properly and sign things they understand and want," he stated.

“But like I said, players don’t have power. It’s so painful. The guy has done well for Orlando Pirates, and numbers don’t lie; he has proven even me wrong; he’s won vital games for Pirates.”

Orbit acquired the services for the forward for the next season after they agreed on a deal with Bucs, a club that Saleng last played for in December 2024.

Orbit College's head coach, Pogiso Makhoye, expressed optimism that the forward will give the Premier Soccer League newcomers the goals they need.

Makhoye has worked with Saleng before, and he says he knows the player inside out and that he will click again despite the fact that he has been out of action for a long time.

Given that his return to Orbit College is on a loan basis, Pirates fans will keep a close eye on him to see how he will perform ahead of a possible return to Bucs.

Although his return to his former club is seen as a regression, this is something that Saelng needed the most because he had been ostracised at Pirates and was no longer playing.