As Orlando Pirates fans reflect on a rollercoaster season, one question keeps coming up: What if Monnapule Saleng had played in the second half of the campaign?
While the Buccaneers managed to bag the MTN8 trophy, many believe they could’ve achieved more—especially with the kind of flair and energy Saleng brings to the pitch.
Pirates legend Lucky Lekgwathi is one of those voices.
He’s convinced Saleng’s absence had a real impact—and not a good one.
Saleng Sidelined Since December: What’s Going On?
Saleng hasn’t played for the Pirates since December 7, 2024.
While he’s reportedly been training with the squad, there’s been no official word on why he hasn’t featured in any matches.
Behind the scenes, rumours point to a wage dispute being the root cause of the standoff.
However, both the club and the player have stayed silent, leaving fans in the dark.
Lekgwathi Backs the Team’s Potential
Despite the midseason dip, Lekgwathi still believes the current Pirates squad has enough quality to go all the way next season.
“I think we have depth in the squad,” he told iDiski Times.
“In the past, I used to complain about how few options we had in each position.
But that’s changed now. Just look at the defence—Tapelo Xoki steps up, then Nkosinathi Sibisi comes in, and now Mbekezeli Mbokazi is owning that backline.
We’ve still got Olisa Ndah and Innocent Maela waiting on the bench.
The competition is there, and it’s healthy.”
But the Saleng Drama Nearly Derailed the Season
Even with all that talent, Lekgwathi didn’t shy away from pointing out what he believes almost sank their season.
“The Saleng situation? That was dangerous.
When there are too many players, even the coach can get overwhelmed.
But this wasn’t just about numbers. If that issue with Saleng hadn’t happened, we’d be talking about a much stronger team overall—especially with options on both wings.”
Will We Ever See Saleng in a Pirates Shirt Again?
As it stands, Saleng’s future with the club is still uncertain.
Will he make a comeback and help push the team forward? Or will he move on and shine elsewhere?
It’s the big question on everyone’s mind—and we want to know what you think.