With Orlando Pirates finalising preparations for their last league match of the season before switching focus to next weekend's Nedbank Cup final, there has been an update on star midfielder Monnapule Saleng's situation in the team.
From having enjoyed an impressive 2022/23 season from which he won the DStv Premiership Players' Player of the Season and MTN8 Last Man Standing accolades, Saleng has had a disappointing 2023/24 campaign by his standards due to a lack of game time.
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Despite being able to prove that he can do the job for the club when given the opportunity like he did in the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs in March when he scored two goals in the thrilling 3-2 victory for the Buccaneers, Saleng has continued to struggle for game time in coach Jose Riveiro's team.
Apart from a rare appearance of three minutes in the Nedbank Cup semi-final match against Chippa United, Saleng had last featured at the end of last month against Royal AM and has missed the last four matches in the league.
In total, the 26-year-old has made 16 appearances in the league with only nine of those in the starting line up, with three other appearances for him in the Nedbank Cup and one in the Carling Knockout.
The Bloemhof-born player was, however, instrumental for Bucs in their MTN8 cup triumph earlier in the season, having started all four matches and scored a goal plus an assist.
Due to his lack of regular game time, there has been talk in the fraternity that Saleng has become increasingly frustrated in that he may push for an exit at the end of the season.
"There is nothing like that according to what I know. He isn't someone like that and he always remembers where he comes from in his life and doesn't allow fame and success to get to his head. He is a humble boy and that's why he is such an inspiration to the aspiring footballers in Bloemhof and the entire North West province," said the source.
"Like any other player, there will be moments of frustration when one isn't playing much and that is normal but that doesn't mean they will always request to leave the club. He knows where he comes from with the club, and it was never easy from the word go for him in the team. Moreover, he's got a contract with the club and therefore he can't just say he wants to leave," the source said.
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According to information made available to the Siya crew, Saleng's contract runs until at least next year.
Attempts have been made to get a comment from Pirates regarding Saleng's future, although at the time of publishing, there has been no official word on the matter.
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