Saleng’s absence blamed for Pirates’ struggles – We’d be talking a different story

Former Orlando Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi insists the Soweto giants could have had even a better season with Monnapule Saleng in the team.

The winger has been out of action for the better part of the season owing to a yet to be revealed issue. 

In the winger’s absence, the Buccaneers finished the Premier Soccer League campaign in second position. They further reached the final of the Nedbank Cup final but lost 2-1 to old rivals Kaizer Chiefs. Bucs further managed to reach the semi-final of the Caf Champions League but lost to Pyramids.

Lekgwathi concedes his former team had enough depth, only that the Saleng issue worked against the club.

‘I don’t know who is supposed to play in that position’

“I think we have depth in the squad; In previous seasons, I have complained about the number of players in each position, but now you can see it,” he told iDiski Times.

“For example, the defenders, Tapelo [Xoki] came in, he did good, when he’s out [Nkosinathi] Sibisi is there, and now [Mbekezeli] Mbokazi is bossing the backline, and we still have the likes of [Olisa] Ndah and [Innocent] Maela on the bench. I think there is competition and a healthy one at that in all the positions.

“The danger of having too many players in the team even the coach won’t be able to focus. The only thing I think almost ruined things was the [Monnapule] Saleng matter. If we didn’t have that issue, I think we’d be talking a different story because you’d know we have depth on the left and on the right.

“Right now, if [Mohau] Nkota isn’t playing, I don’t know who is supposed to be in that position.”