Monnapule Saleng: Jose Riveiro's latest update ahead of Orlando Pirates' Caf Champions League game against Stade d'Abidjan - 'Those are small things'

After an electrifying start to the ongoing 2024/25 campaign, Monnapule Saleng has been missing crucial matches owing to "personal reasons."

His latest involvement was against Al Ahly in Group C of the Caf Champions League outing played on December 7 at the Orlando Stadium.

He went on to miss the first meeting with Stade d'Abidjan, and Premier Soccer League games against Marumo Gallants and Magesi respectively.

Ahead of the second meeting with the Ivorian outfit, coach Jose Riveiro opted to keep the information about Saleng to himself.

“Obviously, I’m not going to tell you 24 hours before the match who’s available and who’s not,” the Spaniard told the media.

“First, because we still have a training session. Once we finish the training, we will know who is available and who is not.

“I think you’ll probably understand that I’m not going to say anything about who’s going to be in the 20 or the starting XI," Riveiro added.

“Or who is not gonna be [in] tomorrow? Because those are small things that also play in the game.

“Our opponent would like to know who’s going to play. Our opponents are not going to have access to that information, so I’m not going to tell you who is in or who is out. I’m sure that you can understand," he concluded.

The Bafana Bafana international has played 13 games for the Soweto giants across all competitions and managed five goals with an assist.

He has to sort out whatever is keeping him out to ensure he stands a chance of making Bafana Bafana's 2025 Africa Cup of Nations squad.

However, with limited club football, that might be a mere dream.

The 26-year-old is definitely an asset for Pirates who are hoping to challenge for the Premier Soccer League title and have a good run in the Caf Champions League race.

To stand a chance of advancing, Pirates have to deliver on Saturday by taking all three points.

The Buccaneers have five points from the three games played and victory will bring them closer to the next hurdle.