Why Monnapule Saleng Will Miss Pirates Clash
The highly anticipated Betway Premiership clash between Orlando Pirates and newcomers Orbit College FC on Tuesday night at Orlando Stadium will see one notable absentee from the pitch. Monnapule Saleng, a once-celebrated star winger for Pirates, will be watching from the grandstand, unable to feature for his new team due to the terms of his loan agreement.
Saleng, along with Thuso Molekeki and Yanga Madiba, was loaned to Orbit College FC after being released by Pirates, as part of a deal that restricts them from playing against their parent club in any league match. This clause is standard practice in loan deals to prevent a player from having an impact on the fortunes of the club that owns their contract.
Orlando Pirates Look to Build on Recent Wins
While Saleng will be a spectator, his former team, Orlando Pirates, are coming off a strong run of form and will be hoping to extend their success against Orbit College. After a rough start to the season, where they suffered defeats to Sekhukhune United (1-0) and Marumo Gallants (2-1), the Sea Robbers have bounced back with two consecutive victories.
Their most recent triumph, a 4-1 penalty win over Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 semi-final, lifted spirits across the Pirates camp and gave the team a much-needed boost. The Soweto giants also registered a narrow 1-0 league win against Stellenbosch FC on August 20, giving them renewed confidence heading into this fixture.
With Pirates currently sitting in 12th place on the league standings, securing a win against Orbit would not only improve their position but also give head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou further backing from the club’s passionate supporters.
Orbit College FC’s Challenge
On the other hand, Orbit College FC will be hoping to spring a surprise against Pirates, despite being unable to field their star player. The newly promoted North West side has shown promise since their arrival in the top flight. A win here would make a strong statement, but the absence of Saleng will undoubtedly be felt by the team.
Orbit College will be looking to build on the early momentum of their season, where they have shown signs of potential despite being in the Premier League for the first time. A solid performance against Pirates could set them up for a challenging but exciting campaign.
Other Fixtures in Tuesday’s League Matches
The Pirates vs Orbit clash is just one of six league matches scheduled for Tuesday night. Newcomers Durban City will look to continue their impressive start to the season when they take on Polokwane City at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. The KwaZulu-Natal side sits comfortably in fifth place with seven points after three matches, having won two and drawn one.
Other fixtures include:
- Stellenbosch FC vs Marumo Gallants at Danie Craven Stadium
- TS Galaxy vs Siwelele at Mbombela Stadium
- Richards Bay vs Chippa United at Princess Magogo Stadium
- Golden Arrows vs Magesi FC at King Zwelithini Stadium
All matches kick off at 7.30pm, with plenty of action expected across the country.
Check also: Orlando Pirates’ New Approach Under Scrutiny After Early Maswanganyi Substitution
As Orlando Pirates aim to continue their resurgence, they will have to do so without one of their former stars, Monnapule Saleng, playing for Orbit College FC.
The restriction on loan players is a common clause in transfer agreements, and although Saleng won’t be able to influence the match, his former club will be hoping to continue their climb up the table with a win. Will Pirates maintain their momentum, or will Orbit College FC prove a tough test for the Soweto giants?
What are your predictions for the match? Can Pirates continue their winning ways, or will Orbit spring an upset?
