The real reason Monnapule Saleng left Bafana camp
Troubled Orlando Pirates winger Monnapule Saleng was among four players released from the Bafana Bafana squad after the CHAN first-leg qualifier against Egypt on Sunday. This is despite the good game he had, having been out of action for three months.
Bafana will face Egypt in Cairo for the second leg over the weekend, having drawn 1-1 on Sunday. Jamie Webber scored the equaliser in the first leg held at the Free State Stadium.
SAFA media confirmed that the former Free State Stars attacker was returning to Pirates, joining his teammate Azola Tshobeni. Kaizer Chiefs starlet Naledi Hlongwane and Nduduzo Mhlongo of Golden Arrows also returned to their clubs.
TS Galaxy striker Victor Letsoalo and the Royal AM duo of Mondli Mpoto and Levy Mashiane replaced the withdrawn quartet.
Stand-in Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki explained the changes, saying they had done a squad profile “to see who is playing and who is better in which positions in terms of our approach”.
“We realised that after the game in Bloemfontein, there are certain positions that we needed to reinforce, especially with us having to go and play Egypt in Egypt,” he said. “So, we have released a few of our players that came to camp last week. We have brought in a few of the players in terms of the squad balance. We had to thank them by releasing these players back to their clubs.”
WHAT ARE THE CIRCUMSTANCES BEHIND SALENG’S RELEASE
However, Saleng was one of the standout players in that home fixture, and the reasons for his absence have now been disclosed. Pirates initially granted him permission to represent Bafana.
Ahead of the Bafana game, Saleng had not been training with the Bucs and was home in Boitumelong township in Bloemhof. As he was coming from the North West, Saleng drove his car to meet the rest of the team in Bloemfontein.
After the game, as Bafana returned by road to Gauteng to prepare for the second leg, Saleng had to drive back home. The plan was for him to later link up with the team in Johannesburg.
The team arrived in Joburg on Monday, with Thursday evening set as the departure date. By Wednesday afternoon, the 26-year-old was yet to join the rest of the team. Against that backdrop, the gifted winger was omitted from the travelling squad.
“He’s struggling. He’s not taking this Pirates thing well. Mentally, he’s not in the best place,” a source close to the player told FARPost.
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