Orlando Pirates attacking midfielder Monnapule Saleng is feeling the pinch of the timing of his drop in form after missing out on selection for the AFCON finals.
Saleng has been forced to watch the tournament in Cote d'Ivoire after his form led to his omission from the Bafana Bafana squad.
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Just last season, Saleng was a standout performer with 15 goals (plus 11 assists) in 30 appearances making a definite for Bafana consideration with interest then popping up from the Middle East in his services.
It was Saleng's first season at Pirates having spent the previous campaign away on loan at Swallows FC after being signed from Free State Stars.
The top-drawer numbers that the 25-year-old had playing on the shoulders of the number nine at Pirates meant UAE Pro League club Al Nasr showed interest with intentions to improve his earnings at least five times.
With the move eventually not happening, Saleng stayed on at Pirates.
Midway through the season, the 25-year-old has only scored twice (plus one assist) in 17 appearances.
He has sunk to the bench coming on as a substitute for his last six league appearances and hasn't played 90 minutes in a league match since mid-August.
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This has meant his omission from the Bafana squad has been justified based on current form while the effects of what the interest from UAE had on him psychologically can't be ignored.
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