Pirates’ Derby Triumph Keeps Them in Contention Orlando Pirates secured a hard-fought victory over Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby, with a controversial 96th-minute panenka penalty from Patrick Maswanganyi ensuring the win. Despite a couple of tense moments during the match, Pirates walked away with the three points.
Saleng’s Future Remains Uncertain Monnapule Saleng, 26, hasn’t appeared for Orlando Pirates since November 2024. There are growing concerns that his absence is a result of his frustration after the club rejected lucrative offers from European clubs, including Belgium’s Standard Liege and French Ligue 1’s Monaco. While some supporters believe he’ll remain with the club, others feel it might be time to cash in on the winger. The real question is whether Pirates will receive such strong offers again when the transfer window opens in June.
Did Pirates Miss an Opportunity? Reports suggest that the rejection of big-money bids—around €2 million (R40 million)—for Saleng from Europe has left the player unsettled, contributing to his ongoing absence. With Saleng out of action for several months, there are concerns whether Pirates have missed a significant opportunity to sell the player for a substantial fee. Will they regret holding onto him if his value diminishes by the time the next transfer window rolls around?
Predicted Lineup for Pirates vs Sekhukhune After a short break, it’s expected that coach Jose Riveiro will field the same starting XI that triumphed over Chiefs. The likely lineup includes: Chaine, Van Rooyen, Sesane, Sibisi, Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha, Nkota, Maswanganyi, Mofokeng, and Mabasa.
Mhango’s Near-Move to Chiefs Meanwhile, former Orlando Pirates striker Gabadinho Mhango, now with Marumo Gallants, revealed he was on the brink of joining Kaizer Chiefs before the move fell through. Mhango had an impressive scoring record during his time at Pirates, and his potential transfer to Chiefs could have seen him return to the Premier League.
