Mokoena adamant Riveiro is ‘protecting Saleng & Tito’ who are ‘disrupting the team’

Former Orlando Pirates player Lebohang Mokoena is unhappy with coach Jose Riveiro for what he terms as ‘protecting Monnapule Saleng and Patrick Maswanganyi.’

The duo has been in and out of the team in recent games for unspecified reasons; Maswanganyi has missed the last three competitive games across all competitions while Saleng has not been making the squad regularly despite his good start to the ongoing campaign.

Mokoena believes Riveiro is not helping the situation because, in the long run, it is the Buccaneers who are paying the price. The 38-year-old former attacker insists the stars should be reprimanded for their behaviors. 

Tito & Saleng should think about the badge

“I’ll talk about Tito and Saleng, they know they are key to the team, so whatever issue or reason that may affect them, they should just put it aside, think about that badge!” Mokoena told SNL24.

“And say you know what, I’m here to make history at this club but these boys, one back page, one interview, now I come late, I’m sleeping late. Now, I answer the coach back, because the coach has always protected the players. 

“Internally as a coach, he should probably hammer some of the players. I think coach Riveiro must just step it up a bit, especially on the players he knows he needs. We don’t have senior guys who can call players in, [and say] ‘You’re disrupting the team!’ That’s why you find performances like this, the team struggling to score.”

Pirates are hoping to challenge for the Premier Soccer League crown and have a good run in the Caf Champions League this season.