Orlando Pirates loaned South Africa international Monnapule Saleng to newbies Orbit College FC, who were recently promoted to the Premier Soccer League.
The 27-year-old fell out with the Sea Robbers management over what is believed to be contractual issues. It is alleged that the attacker wanted the terms to be reviewed following his heroics that helped the Buccaneers win the MTN8 for an unprecedented third time in a row.
However, things did not work out as planned, and he went on missing the last six months or so of the concluded 2024/25 campaign. As a matter of fact, his last competitive game was on December 7 in the goalless draw against Al Ahly in Group C's fixture staged at the Orlando Stadium.
Bucs legend Lucky Lekgwathi is unhappy with the move, insisting it wasn't ideal for him to go to what he feels is a small team.
‘I hope one day Saleng comes back'
“It was difficult for the boy [Saleng], I wanted to talk to him, but I didn’t get an opportunity to speak to him, and it’s football, he can bounce back. Yes, he was in a big team and now he's going to Orbit, let him go, to redeem himself and hope in years to come he will come back to play for the team again, even if it’s not Orlando Pirates,” Lekgwathi told the media.
“For me, I think he’s not a small team player. He is a big team player, and I was happy to see him playing at Orlando Pirates, wearing my number 14, continuing the legacy of that number 14 – my heart was sore after hearing the news he’s leaving Pirates.
“I hope one day he comes back to the team because it’s a loan… so my boy Saleng – I wish to see you one day coming back to Pirates,” he concluded.
