Saleng Set To Leave Pirates At The End Of The Season Amid Contract Dispute

It is highly likely, nearly a certainty, that Orlando Pirates attacker Monnapule Saleng will depart the club at the end of the season, a move that will deeply disappoint fans, Sportswire has learned.

According to sources, Saleng was allegedly instructed by the club to stay away from training, as his presence was deemed a distraction. Furthermore, it has been asserted that he will not play for the club again, a situation confirmed by this publication previously.

While reports circulated that Pirates had exercised a two-year contract option for Saleng, Sportswire has been informed that the signature on the document, if indeed it exists, is not his. Sources indicate that no contract-related documents were exchanged between the player and Pirates in recent days, including during his time with the Bafana Bafana makeshift CHAN squad.

Saleng was subsequently released from the Bafana Bafana CHAN squad, coached by Molefi Ntseki, with SAFA providing limited information regarding the decision on Wednesday.

Sportswire’s source stated that the reasons for his release would not be disclosed due to the intense focus on the player. Saleng played the full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw against Egypt in the CHAN qualifier, and his absence will leave a gap on the left wing for the return leg away in Egypt on Sunday.  

Upon leaving the national team camp, Saleng returned home and will not be part of the Pirates squad facing SuperSport United in the Nedbank Cup quarter-final at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.

The dispute between Saleng and Pirates reportedly stems from his refusal to sign a contract extension, as he believes the club’s offer does not reflect his market value. His current salary is reportedly less than R100,000 per month.

Consequently, Sportswire’s sources claim that Saleng has signed a pre-contract with another club, solidifying his impending departure.

The 26-year-old joined Pirates from Free State Stars in the 2021/22 season, but he spent a year on loan at Moroka Swallows in that season. He was recalled ahead of the 2022/23 season. After a slow start, he emerged as a key player, notably scoring two goals in the MTN8 semi-final against Mamelodi Sundowns and a free-kick in the final against AmaZulu.

He also provided the assist for the winning goal in the Nedbank Cup final against Sekhukhune United, contributing to Pirates’ double triumph. He was subsequently named PSL Players’ Player of the Season and MTN8 Last Man Standing.

Although his performance dipped slightly last season, Saleng still delivered in crucial moments, scoring in the Soweto Derby victory over Kaizer Chiefs, assisting the winner in the Nedbank Cup final against Sundowns at Mbombela Stadium.

This season, having been deemed surplus to requirements, he has made 13 appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals and providing one assist.

In his two and a half seasons with Orlando Pirates, Saleng has won five trophies and made 103 appearances in all competitions, scoring 27 goals and providing nine assists.