Monnapule Saleng’s fourth season since he signed for Orlando Pirates will come with a feeling of forfeiture for the attacking midfielder as he remains walking in darkness.
Saleng has sunk deep into the wilderness since his contractual issues at Pirates surfaced earlier this season.
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What started out as a season with so much promise with five goals (plus one assist) in 13 appearances has turned into torture for the 27-year-old.
Whatever the truth is with the contract which has led to this failure to reach common ground, Saleng has been the loser for now.
There have been claims the player feels underpaid and will walk out on a free and join Kaizer Chiefs, while on the contrary, there are also reports the club has activated the two-year option on his deal.
It has been reported that Saleng is still on R70 000 per month.
Pirates have now played 27 matches since the Bloemhof-born lad last featured for the club in the goalless draw against Al Ahly on December 7, 2024.
The Buccaneers have another six games to play – including Saturday’s Nedbank Cup final – before the end of the season, which he will also not feature in.
This will put Saleng at a loss in keeping his value on the up.
After five months without any competitive club football played, his worth will head south.
The only competitive appearance for Saleng this year was in the CHAN qualifiers home leg match against Egypt, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Saleng delivered 26 goal contributions in his first season playing for the Soweto giants after returning from his loan at Moroka Swallows.
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In that campaign, which was Jose Riveiro's first at the club, he scored the winner in the MTN8 final and then provided an assist in the Nedbank Cup decider.
Then in the following season, he kept on moving and finished last term with 10 goals/assists, which ignited interest from UAE club Al Nasr.
