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IOL News
19 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Monnapule Saleng targeted by Al Ahly confirmation: Orlando Pirates star drew transfer interest
NOTABLE ABSENTEE Over six months since he last played for the Soweto Giants, it's finally been confirmed that Al Ahly were in fact interested in signing out-of-favour Orlando Pirates forward Monnapule Saleng. Picture: Phill Magakoe / AFP Over six months later, it's finally been confirmed that Al Ahly did in fact want to sign out-of-favour Orlando Pirates player Monnapule Saleng. Saleng has not featured for Pirates since December 7, when they hosted Al Ahly in a CAF Champions League match at Orlando Stadium, which ended in a goalless draw. His absence was believed to be over a salary dispute and a failed transfer to Al Ahly, although this was never confirmed by Pirates. As one of the best wingers in the country and not known to be nursing any kind of injury, his absence was keenly felt by Pirates supporters this past season. Saleng, however, was selected for Bafana Bafana in their African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifier in Bloemfontein in early March and, by all accounts, delivered a top performance.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Orlando Pirates Monnapule Saleng's move to Kaizer Chiefs: Former Buccaneer doubts transfer rumours
NOT A GOOD FIT Orlando Pirates Monnapule Saleng's potential transfer to Kaizer Chiefs has been met with skepticism from former Buccaneers player Benedict Vilakazi. Picture: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix With unsubstantiated rumours emerging that Orlando Pirates forward Monnapule Saleng might be making a move to Kaizer Chiefs, one former Buccaneers player thinks that would not be a good fit. The 27-year-old Saleng was believed to have been left out of the side for months due to a salary dispute, although the club has not confirmed this as they remained tight-lipped on the situation. As one of the best wingers in the country and not known to be nursing any kind of injury, his absence was keenly felt by Pirates supporters this past season. Saleng was last in action for Pirates on December 7 when they hosted Al Ahly in a CAF Champions League match at Orlando Stadium, which ended in a goalless draw. Saleng, however, was selected for Bafana Bafana in their African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifier in Bloemfontein in early March and, by all accounts, delivered a top performance. Former Pirates midfielder Benedict Vilakazi, who spent the majority of his career (1999 - 2007) at the Soweto Giants, weighed in on the Saleng issue.
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Vela Khumalo to coach Bafana Cosafa Cup team
Vela Khumalo has been appointed as Bafana Bafana coach for the forthcoming Cosafa Cup in Bloemfontein. He will be assisted by former Kaizer Chiefs player Reneilwe Letsholonyane with Molefi Ntseki as technical adviser for the regional tournament to be held from June 4-15. Khumalo, who is also the South African Under-17 men's national team coach, selected some of the players who were in Bafana's preliminary squad for friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique next week. He also picked players who will be considered to represent the country during the 2025 African Nations Championship (Chan) tournament to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in August. 'We are looking forward to this tournament and we're playing in Bloemfontein and we cannot compromise the team,' he said.
IOL News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Why the silence on Monnapule Saleng spells trouble for Orlando Pirates
NO NEWS Monnapule Saleng's (pictured) ongoing absence from Orlando Pirates amid transfer rumours linking him to Al Ahly with former coach José Riveiro raises concerns for the club. Picture: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix It's been widely reported that Riveiro will be confirmed as the new Al Ahly coach soon, but that official announcement did not come last week as expected. Since José Riveiro left his position as coach of Pirates ahead of schedule last week, his destination has been linked with that of Saleng's. The 27-year-old has not featured for Pirates in over six months now, though he appears to be fully fit. It's now one of the longest-running sagas in SA football right now, and the fact that there has been little development in the Monnapule Saleng issue does not bode well for Orlando Pirates . Could Saleng Join Riveiro at Al Ahly? Transfer Rumours and Updates Last week it emerged that Saleng could in fact follow Riveiro to the Egyptian giants. Though there is far less credence to this rumour, it would make a lot of sense. It's believed that throughout Saleng's absence from the Pirates team, it was never an issue with Riveiro. Most of the reports centred around Saleng not playing for Pirates due to a salary dispute. That dispute was also linked with other reports that Saleng had also tried to sign for Al Ahly in January, but the deal fell through. It would follow then, that when Riveiro is confirmed as the new Al Ahly man, the public could finally also receive some news on Saleng. Saleng was last in action for Pirates on December 7 when they hosted Al Ahly in a CAF Champions League match at Orlando Stadium, which ended in a goalless draw. Saleng, however, was selected for Bafana Bafana in their African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifier in Bloemfontein in early March and, by all accounts, delivered a top performance. @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport * The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media. ** JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Send us an email with your comments, thoughts or responses to [email protected]. Letters should be a maximum of 500 words, and may be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Submissions should include a contact number and physical address (not for publication).
IOL News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Could Monnapule Saleng join José Riveiro at Al Ahly?
YET ANOTHER TWIST Speculation has risen as José Riveiro is close to being announced as the new Al Ahly coach, with Monnapule Saleng potentially following suit amid contract dispute rumours. Picture: Gerhard Duuran/BackPagePix A day later, Mamelodi Sundowns went on to clinch the league title with their victory over Chippa United. Riveiro was released early from his contract with Pirates, meaning his final game in charge was on Tuesday in their Betway Premiership win over Golden Arrows. As Soccer Laduma reports, the former Orlando Pirates coach Riveiro is close to being confirmed as the Al Ahly mentor sometime this week and Saleng could well follow. With heavy speculation that José Riveiro will be named as the new coach of Al Ahly soon, it's also emerged that he may take Monnapule Saleng with him to the Egyptian giants. Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Monnapule Saleng's Mysterious Absence: Contract Disputes and Possible Move to Al Ahly One Pirates player that has been shrouded in controversy during the final stages of the season though, is Monnapule Saleng. Having not featured for Pirates since six months, though apparently being fully fit, his absence has not been explained by the club. According to unconfirmed reports, Saleng's absence is due to a wage dispute and it's also believed that the player had a failed move to Al Ahly in January. The absence of Saleng had nothing to do with Riveiro's personal preference, as it was said to be a purely contractual dispute. Now with Riveiro moving to Al Ahly, it's certainly not beyond the realm of possibility that Saleng could be on his way to North Africa as well. Before Riveiro announced his imminent departure at the end of the season, it was reported that getting Saleng back into the team was a top priority for the tactician. Saleng was last in action for Pirates on December 7 when they hosted Al Ahly in a CAF Champions League match at Orlando Stadium, which ended in a goalless draw. Saleng, however, was selected for Bafana Bafana in their African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifier in Bloemfontein in early March and, by all accounts, delivered a top performance. @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport
