Monnapule Saleng’s long-awaited return to action for Orlando Pirates may yet be on the horizon, with encouraging signs emerging from the Buccaneers’ camp regarding his reintegration into the team.
The 27-year-old winger, who has not featured in an official match since December 7th, is now back training with the squad and being closely monitored by the technical team. According to sources within the club, Saleng is being prepared for a possible return to the matchday squads, depending on his fitness levels in the coming weeks.
Read: PSL Confirm Venue For Historic Nedbank Cup Final
His progress will be assessed regularly, and if deemed ready, he could still play a role in what is shaping up to be a busy and crucial end to the season for the Soweto giants.
Pirates have extended their campaign significantly, having reached the final of the Nedbank Cup for a third consecutive time after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Marumo Gallants at Orlando Stadium on Sunday.
In addition, they remain in the hunt for continental glory, with a CAF Champions League semi-final berth secured, meaning the club will face a congested fixture list in the coming weeks.
This run of fixtures could open the door for Saleng to make his long-anticipated comeback, especially with head coach Jose Riveiro actively rotating his squad to manage fatigue and injuries during this demanding stretch.
Should Saleng hit the required fitness benchmarks, his return would be a timely boost for the Buccaneers as they aim to finish the season on a high.
Saleng’s absence over the past four months had led to widespread speculation, with fans and pundits questioning whether he would feature again this season.
But the latest developments suggest that the Bloemhof-born winger is not out of the picture. In fact, the technical team remains optimistic about his involvement – provided he meets the performance and conditioning standards in training.
Read – HISTORY: Pirates Advance To Third Straight NBK Cup Final
“He remains an important member of the squad, and his progress is being monitored. Should he be deemed ready, he will be considered for selection,” said the source.
With the final stretch of the 2024/25 season promising both domestic silverware and continental rewards, Saleng’s potential return could yet become one of the team’s most important stories – and the Pirates faithful will be hoping to see their star man don the black and white jersey once again before the campaign concludes.
