Monnapule Saleng is set for a dramatic career revival after a turbulent season with Orlando Pirates, a saga sparked by a costly contract oversight that may have handed Kaizer Chiefs a massive transfer coup.
As the 2024/2025 season wrapped up, Saleng finally looked ahead with a sense of reprieve, ready to reboot his career after spending months frozen out of the Buccaneers’ plans. His fourth campaign since joining Pirates turned sour due to confusion over his contract’s validity.
At the heart of the issue lies uncertainty. Did his deal expire at the end of June, or was there an option for renewal? That question, left unanswered by Pirates’ management, opened the door to one of the biggest off-field dramas in recent PSL memory.
Contract lapse ignites Chiefs speculation
Reports now claim that Saleng signed a pre-contract with Kaizer Chiefs, sparking even more intrigue.
Insiders say the winger’s handlers quietly stepped back from the situation, leaving supporters wondering what went wrong behind the scenes.
“You get the idea that something happened when those representing him stepped away,” a source told The South African.
“Saleng’s contract option with Orlando Pirates lapsed unnoticed, only realised afterwards.”
With no formal extension signed, Pirates discovered the oversight too late, after Saleng had already reportedly committed to their Soweto rivals.
From MTN8 hero to outcast
Saleng’s fall from grace feels even more striking when you consider his past contributions. In the 2022/2023 season, Jose Riveiro’s first as head coach, Saleng exploded with 26 goal contributions, scoring the MTN8 final winner and assisting in the Nedbank Cup final.
The following season, he added 10 more goal involvements and attracted interest from UAE side Al Nasr.
He started the 2024/2025 campaign strongly, notching five goals and one assist in just 13 appearances. But everything changed after 7 December 2024, when he played his final competitive match against Al Ahly.
Pirates’ silent freeze-out
Since that night, Saleng hasn’t featured again, missing 33 consecutive matches in all competitions.
Sources reveal that once Pirates learned of his pre-contract with Chiefs, they froze him out of the squad. The club also pulled him from the CHAN squad, reportedly due to mounting pressure from fans who began questioning his absence.
His only outing since was in the CHAN qualifiers against Egypt on 2 March, a 1–1 home draw that now stands as his last competitive appearance of the season.
While neither club has officially confirmed the move, signs point strongly to Kaizer Chiefs pulling off a quiet coup, capitalising on Pirates’ contract mismanagement.
Will Kaizer Chiefs supporters welcome Saleng to Naturena?
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.
