Monnapule Saleng, Orlando Pirates' outcast as PSL giants plan trip to Spain, will Bafana Bafana star move to a new team or kiss and make up with the Buccaneers?

Orlando Pirates star Monnapule heads into pre-season with a dark cloud as PSL giants have not make clear pronouncement on his future.

Monnapule Saleng’s prolonged absence from the pitch has become one of the most frustrating mysteries in South African football, especially for the Orlando Pirates faithful.

Once a key figure for the Buccaneers and a rising star in the national setup, his continued sidelining is now more than just a club issue - it’s threatening his place in the Bafana Bafana squad ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. With every match that he missed in the past local season, his chances of featuring in the continental showpiece fade.

If Pirates have no intention of using him, they owe it to both the player and the game to release him and allow him to move on. Keeping him in limbo serves no purpose but to waste talent and stall a promising career. GOAL zooms into Saleng's situation.

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What is going on?
The question on everyone’s mind is simple yet pressing: What really happened with Saleng? The last time fans saw him in action for Pirates was back in December last year during that intense showdown against Al Ahly. Since then, things have taken a complicated turn. Saleng found himself sidelined, reportedly due to salary disputes that created a rift between the player and the club. The situation escalated, resulting in a suspension that left supporters puzzled and concerned. Though he was later reintroduced to the squad this year, Saleng has yet to make an appearance on the pitch, deepening the mystery surrounding his status.

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Pre-season plans and what they mean for Saleng
As the new season approaches, Pirates are gearing up for their pre-season training camp in Spain - a crucial period for regrouping and preparation. However, there’s speculation that Saleng might not be part of this journey. Should he be left behind, it would send a loud and clear message that his future with the club is in serious doubt. Such a move would underscore the widening divide between Saleng and Pirates, signalling that his time at the club could be nearing an end.
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Exploring his options
Whispers have floated that Al Ahly once viewed Saleng as a potential replacement for Percy Tau, while other reports suggest interest from clubs in the Gulf region, eager to snap up his talents. The reality, however, is that a resolution must come soon. There are essentially two paths ahead: Saleng either parts ways with Pirates and moves on to greener pastures, or he must swallow his pride, make peace with chairman Irvin Khoza, and commit himself fully to fighting his way back into the team. It’s a crossroads moment for the player, and whichever route he chooses will shape his future on and off the pitch.

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Saleng stats
Caf Champions League
Five games | One goal | 433 minutes played
Carling Knockout
Three games | Two goals | 45 minutes played
Premier Soccer League
Three games | Three goals | 165 minutes played
MTN8
Four games | Four goals | 368 minutes played
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What’s next for Saleng?
So, what’s next for the talented winger? While he remains under contract with Pirates, details of his new deal remain vague. The length of the contract is unknown, and more importantly, whether Saleng feels satisfied, especially regarding the financial terms, remains a question. Without clarity on these fronts, uncertainty hangs over his career and the club’s plans.
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What is going on?

Pre-season plans and what they mean for Saleng

Exploring his options

Saleng stats

What’s next for Saleng?

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