{"id":27022,"date":"2025-09-03T15:54:32","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T13:54:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=27022"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:54:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:54:49","slug":"monnapule-salengs-struggles-continue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/monnapule-salengs-struggles-continue\/","title":{"rendered":"Monnapule Saleng\u2019s Struggles Continue After Orlando Pirates Loan to Orbit College"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Orbit College winger Monnapule Saleng has yet to make the impact many expected since joining the club on loan from Orlando Pirates. The 27-year-old speedster, once one of the league\u2019s most exciting wingers, has struggled to find his footing, leaving coach Pogiso Makhonye concerned about his performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In four appearances for Orbit, Saleng has not scored or assisted, raising questions about his current form and his ability to lead the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-underwhelming-performances-spark-concern\">Underwhelming Performances Spark Concern<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Speaking on Metro FM\u2019s <em>Sports Night Amplified<\/em>, Makhonye admitted that Saleng\u2019s start has been disappointing. \u201cSo far, I think he\u2019s not given us what we expected from him as a big player. A player that comes in as a big name, so we need to assess whether the team performs better when he\u2019s in the squad or not,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite his past achievements with Orlando Pirates, Saleng has yet to recapture that level of performance at Orbit. \u201cOut of the four games he has played, he\u2019s not the Saleng we used to see. He hasn\u2019t contributed much\u2014no goals, no assists,\u201d Makhonye added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Coach Pogiso on Saleng seems like Snapo hasn&#39;t impressed the technical team .. The boy needs to up his game.. \ud83d\ude29\ud83d\ude29 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/is2kAA7vi7\">pic.twitter.com\/is2kAA7vi7<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Football Fan \u26bd (@AFootyFanSA) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AFootyFanSA\/status\/1962963314473865448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">September 2, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Also read:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/why-saleng-will-miss-pirates-clash\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Why Monnapule Saleng Will Miss Pirates Clash<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-765348592\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-orbit-college-performs-well-without-him\">Orbit College Performs Well Without Him<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Saleng was absent during Orbit\u2019s 1-0 defeat to Orlando Pirates, watching from the stands. Interestingly, Makhonye noted that the team performed better without him, with younger players stepping up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEven when we played against Pirates, and he was not part of the team, the youngsters did very well. We will help him adjust, but the team comes first. We need to work together to improve,\u201d the coach said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-high-expectations-and-the-captaincy-challenge\">High Expectations and the Captaincy Challenge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Saleng\u2019s loan move to Orbit was meant to reignite his career. Makhonye even handed him the captain\u2019s armband on arrival, signalling faith in his leadership. Yet, placing such responsibility on a player who has barely featured for Pirates may have been premature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNow they want to rely on him. Is he ready to lead? Maybe we gave him too much responsibility, and we need to support him,\u201d Makhonye admitted.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"540\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1756906563.png\" alt=\"Gauteng News Image\" class=\"wp-image-27025\" style=\"width:492px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1756906563.png 540w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1756906563-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1756906563-150x188.png 150w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1756906563-450x563.png 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image: SABC Sport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Also read:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/is-monnapule-salengs-time-at-orlando-pirates-coming-to-an-end\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Is Monnapule Saleng\u2019s Time at Orlando Pirates Coming to an End?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-117607407\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-room-for-growth-and-improvement\">Room for Growth and Improvement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite early struggles, Makhonye remains hopeful. He emphasised the need to assess both the team and Saleng over the coming weeks, particularly ahead of important matches. \u201cWe need him to up his game. The mentality is key\u2014he must lead as a big player. When he\u2019s on the field, the team looks to him, but we must also ensure he contributes effectively,\u201d the coach said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Saleng\u2019s future at Orbit will depend on how quickly he can regain confidence and start contributing tangible results on the pitch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Monnapule Saleng, the South African \ud83c\uddff\ud83c\udde6 and Orlando Pirates stoppage-time maestro, finds joy in scoring winning goals in the dying minutes.<br><br>Most South African footballers are home-based; more African nations should emulate this.<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/qCMlG1tVVV\">pic.twitter.com\/qCMlG1tVVV<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Africa First (@AfricaFirsts) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AfricaFirsts\/status\/1963108599015596128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">September 3, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-can-monnapule-saleng-turn-things-around\">Can Monnapule Saleng Turn Things Around?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sabcsport.com\/soccer\/news\/orbit-college-coach-questions-monnapule-saleng-impact\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">his start<\/a> at Orbit College has been underwhelming, Monnapule Saleng still has the opportunity to rediscover the form that once made him one of South Africa\u2019s top wingers. With the club, coach, and young teammates backing him, all eyes will be on the winger as he looks to lead and inspire on the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If he can deliver, Saleng could turn his loan spell into a career-reviving move, proving he is still a force to be reckoned with in the domestic league.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Related article: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/orlando-pirates-handling-of-saleng-sparks-debate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Orlando Pirates\u2019 Handling of Saleng Sparks Debate Over Player Welfare<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Orbit College winger Monnapule Saleng has yet to make the impact many expected since joining the club on loan from Orlando Pirates. The 27-year-old speedster, once one of the league\u2019s most exciting wingers, has struggled to find his footing, leaving coach Pogiso Makhonye concerned about his performances. In four appearances for Orbit, Saleng has not<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":27026,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Orbit College winger Monnapule Saleng has yet to make the impact many expected since joining the club on loan from Orlando Pirates. The 27-year-old speedster,...","footnotes":""},"categories":[56,64],"tags":[296,11118,11108,273],"class_list":{"0":"post-27022","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"category-sports-news","9":"tag-betway-premiership","10":"tag-latest-football-news","11":"tag-latest-sports-news","12":"tag-orlando-pirates"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27022","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27022"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27022\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27027,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27022\/revisions\/27027"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27026"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27022"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27022"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27022"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}