Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has addressed the question of whether the Soweto giants are feeling the absence of star player Monnapule Saleng.
Saleng has been one of the most talked about players in the current Betway Premiership following a reported fallout with Pirates’ management.
The highly-rated attacker has missed Bucs’ important matches this season as they fight for the league, CAF Champions League and Nedbank Cup league titles. Saleng last featured for the Buccaneers in the Champions League group stages against Al Ahly at Orlando Stadium in December 2024.
In the 2024/25 campaign, the Bafana Bafana international has played 13 matches across all competitions for Pirates and scored five goals, which includes netting in the 2024 MTN8 final victory over Stellenbosch FC earlier in the season.
Meanwhile, the Soweto giants have relied on the inexperienced Mohau Nkota to fill Saleng’s void in the senior team. The 20-year-old has struggled to maintain a consistent run of form since making his debut in October 2024 against AmaZulu FC.
RIVEIRO RESPONDS TO QUESTION ON WHETHER PIRATES IS MISSING SALENG
Riveiro said the Ghosts have enough players who are showing a lot of hunger. “I don’t think about players when we win or don’t. I think no one would like to be in this situation when we started the season, but it is what it is. It’s something that, as you know, is not my role to speak so much about,” he said.
“So I just wish the best for both sides in this case. Whatever I say, it’s going to be a big headline, right? But we’re focusing on the players that we have, that’s it.
“Luckily, we have a lot of talent in the team; we have a lot of players with a lot of hunger and wanting to use their opportunity. Like I said many times, the opportunities are presented to them.
“We have players in every position who are capable of doing the job, and that’s it. We have to live in the moment and look at the future. The future for us is to get ready for the match [against Mamelodi Sundowns] over the weekend. There’s no time to think about who’s there and who’s not.”
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