Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has hailed the tenacity of talisman Monnapule Saleng who was on target as the Buccaneers won the MTN8 on Saturday.
Pirates became the first team to claim three straight MTN8 crowns following their 3-1 win over Stellenbosch FC at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Riveiro’s men had to come from behind to win after Lehlohonolo Mojela gave Stellies an early lead before Saleng levelled matters. Deon Hotto’s well-taken freekick was parried away by Stellies goalkeeper Sage Stephens but the ball fell into the path of Saleng who slammed the ball home for 1-1.
Why is Riveiro raving over Saleng?
It was a great outing for the winger, whose participation was in doubt, as he missed the last one week owing to an injury and needed a late fitness test before he was cleared.
“He is very important obviously. He managed to score one more time, he was a permanent threat during the 90 minutes,” said Riveiro after the match.
“He never gets tired, he is a threat after five minutes and after 90 minutes. So, yes it was a difficult week for the boy to make it possible but in the end, we managed to have him here and be part of this MTN8 final.”
The winger is MTN8 all-time top scorer
Saleng had been in hot form before his injury in Pirates’ 3-0 thrashing of Polokwane City. The winger had just scored the opening goal when he went off with what appeared to be a muscle strain.
It had been his third straight game in which he scored and after missing the hard-fought 1-0 PSL win over Richards Bay, he came up trumps in the cup final, scoring his sixth goal to make him the top scorer in the competition’s history.
