Latest news with #LuckyLekgwathi
The South African
29-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates-Saleng saga reaches new low: It's officially over?
Orlando Pirates legend Lucky Lekgwathi believes the Monnapule Saleng saga played a role in the club's Champions League and Nedbank Cup failure. 'What I think almost ruined things was the Saleng matter,' he said. 'If we didn't have that issue, I think we'd be talking a different story because you'd know we have depth on the left and on the right.' 'Right now, if [Mohau] Nkota isn't playing, I don't know who is supposed to be in that position.' The 27-year-old has caused a string among the Orlando Pirates ranks since disappearing in early December over salary demands the club were unwilling to pay. Saleng hasn't played for the Soweto giants since, prompting speculation of an offseason exit, which seems all but certain. Lekgwathi doesn't see depth as being Orlando Pirates' peril this season, saying, 'I think we have depth in the squad; In previous seasons, I have complained about the number of players in each position, but now you can see it.' 'For example, the defenders, Tapelo [Xoki] came in, he did good, when he's out [Nkosinathi] Sibisi is there, and now [Mbekezeli] Mbokazi is bossing the backline, and we still have the likes of [Olisa] Ndah and [Innocent] Maela on the bench. I think there is competition and a healthy one at that in all the positions. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
29-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Why former player says Monnapule Saleng saga ‘almost ruined' Orlando Pirates' season
EXPERT INSIGHT Orlando Pirates legend Lucky Lekgwathi discusses how the Monnapule Saleng saga, believed to be due to a salary dispute, nearly derailed the club's season, despite their runner-up finish and squad depth. Picture: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Orlando Pirates legend Lucky Lekgwathi has weighed in on the Monnapule Saleng matter, and how it affected the club this season. Pirates, of course, secured another runner-up finish in the Betway Premiership under José Riveiro and it was without the services of Saleng since December. The 27-year-old was believed to have been left out of the side 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, believed Lekgwathi. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ Lekgwathi Highlights Pirates' Squad Depth and Challenges 'I think we have depth in the squad,' Lekgwathi, who played for Pirates for 12 years as he earned over 300 caps for the Soweto Giants, told iDiski Times. 'In previous seasons, I have complained about the number of players in each position, but now you can see it. For example, the defenders, Tapelo [Xoki] came in, he did well, when he's out [Nkosinathi] Sibisi is there, and now [Mbekezeli] Mbokazi is bossing the backline, and we still have the likes of [Olisa] Ndah and [Innocent] Maela on the bench. I think there is competition and a healthy one at that in all the positions.' Stopping short of saying that Saleng would be the first choice for Pirates, Lekgwathi said: 'The danger of having too many players in the team is that even the coach won't be able to focus. The only thing I think almost ruined things was the [Monnapule] Saleng matter. If we hadn't had that issue, I think we'd be talking a different story because you'd know we have depth on the left and on the right. 'Right now, if [Mohau] Nkota isn't playing, I don't know who is supposed to be in that position.'
The South African
28-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Saleng matter nearly ruined things for Pirates
Orlando Pirates legend Lucky Lekgwathi feels Monnapule Saleng would have made a difference if he featured in the second half of the season. The 27-year-old has not played for the club since December 7, 2024, even though he has been training with the team. It is reported that the dispute between Saleng and the Pirates centres around wages, but neither the club nor the player has confirmed this. Having started the 2024/25 season on a high, the Buccaneers had a slump midseason, which saw them only clinching the MTN8. Bucs legend Lucky Lekgwathi feels the squad is good enough to compete next season for top honours yet again. 'I think we have depth in the squad,' Lekgwathi told iDiski Times . 'In previous seasons, I have complained about the number of players in each position, but now you can see it. For example, the defenders, Tapelo [Xoki] came in, he did good, when he's out [Nkosinathi] Sibisi is there, and now [Mbekezeli] Mbokazi is bossing the backline, and we still have the likes of [Olisa] Ndah and [Innocent] Maela on the bench. I think there is competition and a healthy one at that in all the positions,' he said. The former Pirates captain said the Saleng matter almost ruined the club's season. 'The danger of having too many players in the team even the coach won't be able to focus. The only thing I think almost ruined things was the [Monnapule] Saleng matter. If we didn't have that issue, I think we'd be talking a different story because you'd know we have depth on the left and on the right,' he said. It remains to be seen if Saleng will ever play for Pirates again. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
