Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro says star player Monnapule Saleng is putting in the hard yards to return to the form that earned him many plaudits last season.
After dazzling in his first season with the Buccaneers, winning the DStv Premiership Players’ Player of the Season and MTN Last Man Standing accolades, Saleng struggled to maintain that form this season.
He was in and out of the Pirates’ starting lineups and lost his place in the Bafana Bafana squad.
But Saleng gave a stupendous performance during the Soweto derby where Pirates defeated rivals Kaizer Chiefs 3-2 on Saturday, reminding everyone what he can do when on form.
The quick and skilful forward scored a brace as Riveiro’s men claimed the bragging rights, boosting their chances of qualifying for the CAF Champions League next season.
The coach opened up about Saleng’s struggles in the current campaign and what contributed to it.
Orlando Pirates coach Jośe Riveiro on match-winner Monnapule Saleng. #SowetoDerby pic.twitter.com/Sav95janzY
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“Saleng didn’t have the best (first) half of the season for multiple reasons that we can’t discuss in this space,” Riveiro said after the victory over Chiefs.
“During the Afcon break, I think he did a very good job in the training matches.
“He came in to play against (Mamelodi) Sundowns in Pretoria and he didn’t do a bad job there as well (but) we didn’t have continuity with him because of the flu that separated him from the 20 when we travelled to Polokwane.
“And then, we used the game against Crystal Lake (in the Nedbank Cup) to see other players in the team.
“Wednesday (against Cape Town Spurs) could have been an option for him off the bench because he was ready to play but, in the end, I decided to do something different and kept Saleng ready to play this game the way he did it,” Riveiro said.
“He is not a forgotten player, that’s for sure and you saw him today (Saturday).
“He needs our support as well and help to be again the Saleng that everybody had the opportunity to see last season. Right now, he is taking the right steps.”
Pirates will shift their focus to the Nedbank Cup where they will host Hungry Lions FC from the Motsepe Foundation Championship in the round of 16 at Orlando Stadium on Saturday at 18:00.
𝐇𝐓 | ☠ 𝐏𝐈𝐑 𝟏-𝟐 𝐂𝐇𝐈 ✌
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) March 9, 2024
Saleng smashes home from outside the box but Kaizer Chiefs have the lead at the break ⚽
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