Orbit College eat humble pie & apologise to Saleng – ‘He is a valued member of our team’

Orbit College coach Pogiso Makhoye recently blasted Orlando Pirates winger Monnapule Saleng for not delivering as the club anticipated.

The 27-year-old joined the Premier Soccer League newbies on loan from the Soweto giants after falling out with the management, and ended up being frozen out. Since joining Orbit, the South Africa winger has played four games, but has not contributed to any goal or even found the back of the net.

Makhoye alleged the team plays better without the Pirates' attacker, and urged the loanee to up his game. Those were shocking words coming from the coach, publicly, and the Mswenko Boys have since apologized for the incident, and promised to improve on that front. 

Orbit College FC apologise to fans and Saleng

“We at Orbit College FC wish to address recent comments made by our coach regarding the performance of our player, Monnapule Saleng. We recognize that these remarks, shared last week on social media, have caused concern and disappointment among our fans, stakeholders, and the wider football community,” they said in a statement.

“We sincerely apologize for the unintended distress caused by these comments. Our intention is always to foster a positive and supportive environment for all our players, who work tirelessly to represent our club with pride and dedication. Monnapule Saleng is a valued member of our team, and we deeply regret any impression that his contributions have been undervalued or unfairly criticized.  

“As a club, we are committed to supporting our players’ growth and well-being, both on and off the field. We acknowledge that public statements must be made with care to avoid misinterpretation or harm,” they continued.

‘We ask for your understanding'

“Moving forward, we will take steps to ensure more thoughtful communication and continue to focus on unity, respect, and constructive dialogue within our team.

“We are in discussions with all involved parties, including Monnapule, to address this matter internally and ensure that our shared goals remain at the forefront. We ask for your understanding and continued support as we work to strengthen our team and uphold the values that define Orbit College FC.

“Thank you for standing by us, and we look forward to demonstrating our commitment through our actions on and off the pitch. Sincerely, Orbit College FC Management,” they concluded.

After the international break, Orbit FC play Chippa United away in the midweek Premier Soccer League outing.