Orbit College FC coach Pogiso Makhoye has responded to questions around Monnapule Saleng's readiness for the start of the season and the winger's bid to rediscover his top form.
Following promotion to the big league via the end-of-season playoffs, Orbit will be leaning on the experience of at least five players on loan from Orlando Pirates.
Among them, none will be under the microscope of scrutiny and expectations quite like Saleng.
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The 28-year-old is on a season-long loan from Bucs, for whom he last featured in December 2024 and reportedly had a major falling out over a contractual dispute.
The move sees him reunite with his former coach in Makhoye, who groomed the dribbling wizard before his move to Free State Stars, from where the Soweto giants spotted him.
"Saleng brings a lot of experience. He left the team as a young boy, he’s coming as a leader now," Makhoye told journalists at the launch of the Betway Premiership this week.
"He is all ready, he is ready to go, and he is happy to be back home.
"He understands the culture, he understands the team, and he understands his teammates. He understands me because he is like a son to me.
"I think we’re bringing exciting youngsters, we just have to have fun and enjoy ourselves.
"He left as a boy, and he’s coming back as a man right now with a lot of experience, and he’s leading the team right now. He comes from a big team," added the tactician.
Makhoye went on to reveal the nature of his conversations with the Bloemhof-born lad.
"I told him that, 'When you left here, you were a boy, people were leading you, now you need to lead these young boys, and you have to show that you are coming from a big team.'
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"He wanted to be back at home, and I said, 'Welcome, we’re happy to have you, please come and make sure this team doesn’t get relegated’. He’s happy, he’s enjoying his football."
The other four Bucccaneers players at the North West outfit are Yanga Madiba, Thuso Moleleki Gomolemo Khoto, and Siyabulela Mabele.
The Mswenko Boys kick off their campaign with a trip to Durban to take on AmaZulu FC at the Princess Magogo Stadium at at 15:00.
