Orlando Pirates could receive a significant boost ahead of their Tuesday night clash with Richards Bay, with the potential return of winger Monnapule Saleng.

Saleng, who had been in exceptional form, scoring in four consecutive matches before his injury, was spotted training with the rest of the squad on Monday.

The 26-year-old last played for Pirates in the Carling Knockout Round of 16 as they lost 3-2 against Magesi FC at Orlando Stadium last month.

In Saleng’s absence, Mohau Nkota has stepped up impressively, contributing crucial goals and performances. Nkota’s standout displays have helped Pirates maintain their perfect start to the season, with six consecutive victories, including the brace against AmaZulu.

Pirates’ current winning streak is their sixth in the PSL era, with previous streaks occurring in the 2002/03 season under Roy Barreto, 2011 under Ruud Krol, 2020 with Josef Zinnbauer, and again in 2023 under Riveiro. 

As Pirates aim to extend their winning streak against Richards Bay, coach Jose Riveiro is set to reach a significant milestone. The Spaniard is set to manage his 100th match for the club. In his 99 games so far, Riveiro has led Pirates to three MTN8 titles, two Nedbank Cups, and two runner-up finishes in the league.

Riveiro’s impressive record includes 61 wins, 21 losses, and 17 draws, with his team scoring 177 goals and conceding 82. This translates to an average of 2.02 points per match.  

Former coach Ruud Krol, who led Pirates to the first treble in the 2010/11 season, was also in charge of 99 matches with the club. However, Krol won 48 matches, lost 17, and drew 34 matches. His side scored 121 goals and conceded 71 and earned 178 points in an average of 1,80 points per match.