Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has remained tight-lipped regarding the situation of winger Monnapule Saleng, who has been sidelined for over two months now. The 26-year-old has not played in any match since December, and the club has yet to provide any official explanation for his absence. Saleng has made 13 appearances this season, scoring five goals and contributing one assist across all competitions.
Following Pirates’ heavy 4-1 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns last weekend, fans on X (formerly Twitter) expressed their frustration, calling for Saleng’s return to the starting lineup. Some pundits also suggested that his presence could have provided much-needed spark in attack against Sundowns.
When asked about Saleng’s situation, Riveiro chose not to provide any details, stating, “I don’t speak about the health of my players; it’s a private matter. The club will inform the public when it’s the right time to discuss injuries, recovery times, and processes. It’s not my role, and it’s not ethically appropriate for me to share that information.”
He added, “I understand that fans and the media would like to know about the status of players like Olisa Ndah, Goodman Mosele, or Saleng, but that information won’t be shared.”
Saleng’s Agent Also Keeps Silent
Saleng’s agent, Karabo Tshabuse of P Management Sports, also refused to comment on the player’s absence, stating, “I’m not in a position to speak about my client at the moment. I won’t be giving any commentary on inquiries regarding Saleng.”
With no updates from either the coach or agent, it remains unclear what the future holds for Saleng at Orlando Pirates, especially as he has now gone over two months without playing. Fans and pundits alike will be waiting to see if Saleng will feature for the team again this season or if his time with the club could be coming to an end.
