Monnapule Saleng has been phenomenal for Orlando Pirates this season. The 24-year-old has been praised by the Buccaneers supporters for his efforts and brilliance. Bucs coach Jose Riveiro has echoed those sentiments.
“I don’t like to individualize situations because they are part of one structure and have different responsibilities. I will never put the spotlight on one player. But what I can say is there are players that are more attractive to the fans, especially players like Saleng. He is doing well week in and week out and the key thing for us and him is to stay humble,” Riveiro said on Saleng after he scored a brace against Sundowns last year.
It is no secret that Monnapule Saleng is gifted, the Buccaneer player has played 16 games, and scored 9 goals with 4 assists in all competitions. It could be said that he is having the season of his life so far, as he bagged another man-of-the-match performance against Maritzburg United to claim his eighth accolade this season so far.
Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs will battle it out on Saturday the 25 February at FNB Stadium. Chiefs have had the better of Pirates in recent times, having won 4 of their last 5 games against Pirates, while the Buccaneers have managed to win just once. However, Pirates will hope that Saleng will be in the type form on the day to help cause an upset.
Monnapule Saleng has a rating of 63 percent impacting goals and 75 percent impacting assists making him a deadly weapon for Pirates.
Saleng’s ability to find space behind the defenders will be critical, especially with Chiefs having defensive issues. Saleng possesses speed, agility, skill and vision to not only score goals but to find the right pass to create assists. With Pirates having all their players back, Chiefs will have to work find a strategy to stop Bucs avenging recent derby losses.
