Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro kept his cards close to his chest when asked about the whereabouts of winger Monnapule Saleng and an injury update on the progress of long-term absentees like defender Olisa Ndah.

In a campaign where the Soweto giants are competing on all fronts and would do with extra firepower in their arsenal, Saleng appears to have been frozen out of the team for unknown reasons, raising eyebrows in the SA football fraternity.

The 26-year-old forward was last seen in action in December 2024 during the Buccaneers’ goalless draw against reigning and record African champions Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League at Orlando Stadium.

Saleng has been a vital cog in Riveiro’s success at Pirates, which saw them clinch five domestic cup competitions since the Spaniard was appointed in June 2022. The Bucs coach refused to delve deep into the players’ absence, including injured players when pressed.

“I don’t do it, I don’t speak about the health of my players, it’s something that belongs to a private space and the moment the club feels it’s the time to talk about which players are injured and how long it’s going to take [until they return], in which moment of the process they are in, they will do it,” he said.

The 49-year-old tactician went on to make it very clear that comment wouldn’t be drawn out of him, pouring cold water on the last bit of hope the Bucs faithful had about finding out the real issue behind Saleng’s omission.

“It’s not part of my job description to [give an update] because it’s not an ethical thing. I know it would be nice to know how close Olisa [Ndah] is, [Goodman] Mosele, or what’s happening with Saleng but it’s not going to happen,” Riveiro asserted.

The Sea Robbers will battle against Baroka FC for a spot in the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup on home soil on Saturday, before visiting Golden Arrows at the Mpumalanga Stadium on Wednesday, 19 February in the Betway Premiership game.