Monnapule Saleng’s parents claim the Orlando Pirates star is depressed and wants to leave the club due to his frustrating spell with the Soweto giants.
Saleng has been frozen out by coach Jose Riveiro with his last match for Pirates being last December but no reason has been given over his absence.
That has led to different theories over his situation at the club but his parents claim it is all down to a contractual dispute as the winger is fed up with his ‘low pay’ and feels he should be allowed to leave if Pirates cannot address his situation.
Saleng had refused to honour MTN8 final
His parents say trouble started in October just before the MTN8 final, when Pirates faced Stellenbosch, a match they won 3-1, as he had refused to travel with his team-mates to Durban for the contest as he protested his low pay before they convinced him to take a taxi and link up with the rest of the squad.
“Fortunately for him, he arrived before his team did. He had an opportunity to play in the MTN 8 final, despite not training for the game. He performed well and scored a goal,” Saleng’s mother Makie Tsoeu told Sunday World at the family’s home in Boitumelong in the North West province.
“He just wanted the team to pay him what he deserves,” she added.
The player’s father Thabo Tsoeu says while the family would like Saleng to stay at Pirates, the Buccaneers should allow him to explore other opportunities if a contract improvement is not possible.
What is really troubling the winger?
“I’m in pain. He is the one who cares for us at home, and seeing his profession in such a state crushes my heart. I wish he could tell me what is really bothering him before it’s too late,” said Thabo.
“The problem is the contract. We would want him to stick with Pirates because it is one of the biggest clubs in the country.”
Unconfirmed reports have claimed Saleng is on R70,000 per month at Pirates although the figure has been disputed in some quarters but the club’s silence has created room for further speculation.
Saleng last played for Pirates in December 2024 during a home clash against Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League group stages and had not featured until he was selected to the Bafana Bafana starting XI for their 2024 African Nations Championships first leg against Egypt.
