Saleng ‘leaves’ Orlando Pirates, Egypt beckons

Monnapule Saleng has left the Orlando Pirates squad to report for Bafana duty as the side tackles CHAN Qualifiers.

Saleng heads to Bloemfontein

According to SoccerLaduma, Monnapule Saleng is reporting for the Bafana camp as they prepare for CHAN qualifiers against Egypt. The two legs will be played on 28 February and 09 March.

Recognition from one’s country can never be a bad thing. However, inclusion in a fringe Bafana squad of mostly emerging youngsters isn’t what Saleng needs right now. A player of the 26-year-old’s calibre should be operating at the highest level for South Africa and playing regularly in the Betway Premiership. The CHAN Qualifiers Bafana squad selected by Helman Mkhalele isn’t exactly a collection of household names, barring one or two. Saleng might enjoy a distraction from his issues at Pirates but this doesn’t solve the problem, it just elongates it.

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Pirates fans cheer for Kaizer Chiefs this weekend

The Brazilians hold a commanding 12-point lead over their only credible challengers for the title, Orlando Pirates. The Buccaneers have three games in hand, but recent history suggests that Sundowns will have enough in the tank. This coming weekend, Pirates fans will temporarily wear their Chiefs hats and hope the Glamour Boys can take points off the runaway leaders. Kickoff between Sundowns and Chiefs is on Saturday 01 March at 15:30. Pirates need Sundowns to drop points at regular intervals in the next few rounds of action; they’d see now as a perfect time to start.

Will Saleng benefit from some time away?

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