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IOL News
6 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Orlando Pirates' documentary sheds light on Monnapule Saleng's struggles: Was it necessary?
Orlando Pirates have sent Monnapule Saleng on loan to Orbit College in order to help him regain the form that turned him into one of the most exciting players in South Africa. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix Image: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix Soweto giants Orlando Pirates have seemingly thrown Monnapule Saleng under the bus in their fly-on-the-wall documentary aired on SuperSport. The documentary, which provides an in-depth look at the club's operations, spotlighted Saleng's turbulent experiences, raising crucial questions about player welfare and the ethics of club transparency. Saleng, who played a pivotal role for the Pirates during the early stages of the 2023/24 season, faced significant turmoil over the past year. A notable absence from the pitch for much of the last season led to rampant speculation regarding his future with the club. Reports emerged hinting at a tense stand-off between Saleng and the Pirates management, where the 24-year-old believed he warranted a salary comparable to the club's highest earners, based on his contributions to the team. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Mental health challenges also came into play during this tough period, with whispers of Saleng struggling mentally, ultimately resulting in his loan transfer to Orbit College FC. The hope is that this move will allow him to regain the form that once marked him as one of South Africa's most promising football talents. The documentary hastily shifts to the Carling Knockout Last 16 clash, where Pirates faced a disappointing 3-2 defeat against Magesi FC. During half-time, a visibly agitated Saleng was approached by then head coach Jose Riveiro, who, after noticing Saleng's reluctance, opted to substitute him. Riveiro narrates the moment saying, 'Because we know Saleng, we know what he's capable of doing… And we have a weird half-time… you could see that the boy is not happy, he's just not himself.' In an emotional response, Saleng spoke of the chaos surrounding his experience at the club, stating, 'What caused the situation? A lot of things. A lot of things happened.' The poignant exchange raises an essential question: was airing such a sensitive incident necessary? The portrayal of Saleng in this public arena arguably paints him in a negative light and raises alarming concerns regarding how Orlando Pirates navigates internal conflicts. Airing moments that delve into a player's vulnerabilities, particularly concerning mental health, can come off as a breach of trust. While transparency is important, it appears that the club has chosen to use the documentary as a shield, deflecting blame rather than supporting one of their most gifted players during a challenging phase. This decision to present Saleng's struggles publicly may serve to win a narrative battle, but it undoubtedly risks the morale and trust within the squad. However, supporters of the club may argue that such openness is necessary to provide fans with an authentic, unfiltered look behind the scenes of a professional football club. The response from fans will likely vary, with loyalists desiring transparency while others may question the ethical ramifications of revealing a player's struggles. 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 iolletters@ 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
04-08-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
'He wasn't there': Pirates expose Monnapule Saleng's struggles in doccie – but was it necessary?
Under the bus Orlando Pirates have loaned Monnapule Saleng (pictured) to Orbit College FC, ending his long-standing saga and speculation about his future. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix Image: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix Soweto giants Orlando Pirates have seemingly thrown Monnapule Saleng under the bus in their fly-on-the-wall documentary aired on SuperSport. After playing a key role for Ezimnyama Ngenkani during the 2023/24 season, Saleng was sidelined for much of last season, leading to speculation about his future. It was later reported the player was involved in a tense stand-off with Pirates over his contract, as he believed that due to his importance to the team, he should have been paid as much as the club's top earners. It was also reported that Saleng struggled with his mental health during the tough period. He was subsequently loaned to newly promoted Orbit College in hopes of rediscovering the form that once made him one of South Africa's most exciting footballers. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. The documentary focuses on the club's Carling Knockout Last 16 clash, where Pirates were beaten 3-2 by Magesi FC. At half-time, with Pirates trailing 3-0, then head coach Jose Riveiro can be heard asking: 'Do I have to do five subs? Is everybody alright? Saleng, are you alright?' After the player shakes his head, Riveiro says: 'No? Okay, out. Where is [Mohau] Nkota? Take Nkota.' Then, when narrating what happened, Riveiro says: 'The period of decision was weird, with Saleng… So he takes you to a weird space, to start to speculate if he's okay or not, if he really wants to play for the team or not. 'Because we know Saleng, we know what he's capable of doing – always ready to play, always ready to train, always delivering incredible performances. 'And we have a weird half-time, we have a weird game against Magesi in the Black Label Cup. You could see that the boy is not happy, he's just not himself. He's not the guy enjoying every action – even if he has to run to defend 60m, he enjoys the action as well. 'And he wasn't there…' When speaking about the game and the tense stand-off with the coach, Saleng said: 'What caused the situation? A lot of things. A lot of things happened.' One has to ask whether it was necessary to air the incident as it paints Saleng in a bad light. The documentary's treatment of Saleng raises serious questions about how Orlando Pirates manage internal conflicts and player welfare. Airing such sensitive moments – especially around a player's mental health – feels less like transparency and more like deflection. Instead of protecting one of their most talented assets during a difficult period, the club appears to have used the platform to distance themselves from blame. In doing so, they may have won the narrative, but at what cost to trust and morale within the squad? However, while the documentary may be criticised for airing sensitive footage, the club might argue that transparency and honest storytelling are essential to offering fans an authentic look behind the scenes. 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). Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
