There’s some buzz coming out of the Orlando Pirates camp — Monnapule Saleng is back in training.
Fans will be happy to see him in the mix again, but as always in football, things aren’t quite as straightforward as they seem on the surface.
While Saleng is putting in the hard yards behind the scenes, there are still a lot of unanswered questions about his current situation at the club.
One insider described it as a “complex” scenario that people outside the dressing room might struggle to fully understand.
“He’ll be back, and he’s working really hard to make sure of that,” the source explained.
“But there’s more going on behind the scenes. We’re still waiting on an official update from the club — and until then, it’s just a waiting game.”
Is Saleng Undervalued at Pirates?
Now here’s something that might raise eyebrows — especially if you’re a fan of the PSL or a follower of Saleng’s career.
A childhood friend of the 27-year-old winger, Boikanyo Maine, claims that Saleng is currently earning just around R70,000 a month.
That figure feels shockingly low for someone who was named PSL Player of the Season in 2022/23.
To put that in perspective, some of his teammates — like Patrick Maswanganyi, Deon Hotto, Evidence Makgopa, and Zakhele Lepasa — are reportedly earning significantly more.
If that claim is accurate, it could spark major conversations about how talent is valued at the club.
Could Steve Barker Be the Next Man at the Helm?
While we’re on the topic of Pirates, there’s been some whispering about head coach Jose Riveiro’s future.
Should the Buccaneers decide to part ways with Riveiro, one name that keeps coming up is Steve Barker — the current boss at Stellenbosch FC.
And you can’t blame people for suggesting it. Barker has done wonders with Stellies, helping the club punch above its financial weight.
He even guided them to their first-ever piece of silverware, lifting the 2024 Carling Knockout.
If Pirates are thinking of a change, Barker might just be the smart, no-nonsense manager they need.
Nkota Steps Up on the Big Stage
On the pitch, the Pirates are still pushing hard on all fronts. In their Caf Champions League quarter-final first leg against MC Alger, it was 20-year-old Mohau Nkota who delivered the goods.
His 65th-minute goal secured a 1-0 win and gave the team a crucial edge heading into the second leg.
Nkota seems to thrive under continental lights. Remember, he also racked up two assists in that clash against Stade d’Abidjan earlier in the campaign.
In fact, he’s now the youngest Pirates player ever to score three away goals in a single Champions League season.
What’s Next for the Buccaneers?
Next up, Pirates return to domestic duty with a PSL fixture against Polokwane on Sunday, 06 April at 15:00.
Then, it’s right back into Champions League action with the second leg against MC Alger set for Wednesday, 09 April at 18:00.
The big question? Will Nkota earn a start after his recent heroics?
Could a Coaching Change Help Saleng Shine?
And that leads us to a final thought — if Riveiro were to leave the club, could that actually be the breakthrough moment Saleng needs?
A new system, a new perspective, and maybe even a manager who builds the team around his strengths?
There are a lot of moving parts here. And for now, all we can do is wait — for official news, for squad decisions, and for players like Saleng to get their moment back in the spotlight.
