Monnapule Saleng has not played for Orlando Pirates since December 2024, and questions about his extended absence continue to dominate headlines in South African football.
Despite being one of the club’s brightest stars, the 26-year-old winger has been frozen out of the matchday squad for over three months.
The saga began after Saleng was reportedly left frustrated by a failed move to Al Ahly and a perceived salary injustice. Sources close to the player confirmed that he stopped attending training in protest, which led to his omission from the squad.
Even though he has since resumed training, coach Jose Riveiro has opted not to reintegrate him into the team, insisting he does not comment on the availability or health of players.
AfricaSoccer.com understands that Pirates continue to value Saleng, but tensions remain unresolved. The player’s family has publicly expressed concern, with his parents revealing that he is battling emotional distress due to financial dissatisfaction and lack of clarity over his future.
Despite his absence from club football, Saleng was recently called up for the national team’s CHAN qualifier against Egypt, where he performed admirably. This further fueled speculation that the issue is not related to fitness or injury but rather internal disagreements.
As Pirates continue to chase trophies domestically and in Africa, many fans and pundits are asking whether freezing out one of their best talents helps or hinders their title ambitions. Whether the situation will be resolved amicably remains to be seen.
