Orlando Pirates forward Monnapule Saleng has explained what derailed them not to compete with Mamelodi Sundowns for the league title this season.
Pirates were touted as the strongest challengers to Sundowns for the DStv Premiership title in the early stages of the season but the Buccaneers could not maintain their early season form that also saw them being crowned MTN8 champions.
Sundowns, who were eliminated by the Sea Robbers in MTN8 semi-finals, went on a winning run in the league that was unparalleled and eventually clinched the title with seven matches to spare.
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Saleng says injuries to key players such as Thembinkosi Lorch, Vincent Pule and Thabang Monare early in the campaign disturbed their momentum, where head coach Jose Riveiro had to restructure the team.
"My hopes on this current season was us being on top, looking at how we started the season. I envisioned us being number one on the log, you see?" Saleng said in an interview with Pirates media.
"So I think some of the injuries to the guys were some of the obstacles. The likes of (Vincent Pule), (Thembinkosi) Lorch, (Thabang) Monare getting injured, I think those are some of the injuries that effected us badly.
"Mainly because the team already had momentum at that time. So this requires the coach to restructure and some of us were not playing regularly," he said.
Saleng was only introduced in the team around October last year and went further to explain that it was not easy for the coaching staff to make those changes.
The 25-year old, however, says they have set their sights on finishing second on the table and return to the CAF Champions League and also win the Nedbank Cup, which would still be a great season if they achieve those objectives.
"By bringing us into the team at that time was not an easy process. However, we did put a good fight. I just hope we finish second on the log," he went on.
"And that will give us qualification to the CAF Champions League and still fight for the Nedbank Cup and that will be a great season for us," he added.
