Monnapule Saleng’s Future at Orlando Pirates
It seems like Monnapule Saleng is far from content with his current situation at Orlando Pirates.
There have been ongoing rumors about his unhappiness at the club, and this could significantly impact his future. In this update, we dive into what might be next for Saleng and explore some parallels with other situations in South African football, particularly regarding Kaizer Chiefs.
Is Saleng Heading for the Exit?
Orlando Pirates hesitated for a while before deciding whether to sell Saleng.
Now, with everyone aware that he’s not thrilled at the club, his transfer value could drop.
It’s a tricky situation for Pirates, as they’re no longer in the strongest bargaining position.
While Saleng’s discontent is a problem, there’s still potential for the club to get a decent fee for the 26-year-old player.
When we look back at Pirates’ record departure, Mbulelo ‘Oldjohn’ Mabizela’s €2.3 million (R44 million) move to Tottenham in 2003-2004, it’s unlikely they’ll fetch such a high amount for Saleng.
However, the 2022-2023 PSL Player of the Year is still worth a solid sum, and the club should aim to recover at least half of what they paid—around R22 million.
If they can draw interest from Sundowns, this could drive up the price, but the real question is whether Pirates would want to strengthen a rival like Sundowns or Kaizer Chiefs.
The Value of Team Over Individual Players
There’s a saying that “no one player is bigger than any club,” and it’s one that rings true in the case of Orlando Pirates.
While some fans might argue about Saleng’s importance to the team, the club has already invested in emerging talent like Mohau Nkota, who could easily step into the right-sided attacking role.
If Pirates manage to secure a solid fee for Saleng, they could reinvest that money into strengthening the squad further, potentially bringing in new talent to fill the gaps.
Percy Tau’s Influence on Saleng’s Move
The saga surrounding Saleng’s potential move took a turn when Percy Tau’s situation became a factor.
According to Peter du Toit, a veteran journalist and SoccerBeat owner, there was a significant gap between what the media was reporting and what was actually happening behind the scenes.
Egyptian club Al Ahly was reportedly interested in signing Saleng, but they had to wait until Percy Tau’s exit from the club was finalized before proceeding.
It seems Pirates didn’t inform Saleng about the delay, leaving him frustrated.
After Tau finally secured his move to Qatar, the damage was already done, and Saleng’s relationship with Pirates was strained. As a result, his commitment to training has been lackluster, and it’s clear that a change of scenery might be just what Saleng needs to get back to his best.
What’s Next for Saleng?
While it’s unclear exactly where Saleng’s future lies, his frustration with the current situation at Pirates makes it unlikely he will stay long-term.
Whether he ends up at a local rival like Sundowns or Kaizer Chiefs, or a foreign club, a fresh start seems essential for him to regain the form that earned him PSL Player of the Year honors.
What do you think? Drop a comment or send us a message, and let’s discuss where Saleng could end up next!