Orlando Pirates are tussling with a tricky Monnapule Saleng situation. Is this dispute with the club down to wages?
Orlando Pirates’ top earners
According to Briefly, the club’s earner is taking home R500,000 a month, information corroborated by salarypedia.co.za. Here goes, with all figures mentioned as monthly salaries:
- 1. Deon Hotto: R500,000
- 2. Evidence Makgopa: R200,000
- 3. Innocent Maela: R150,000
- 4. Zakhele Lepasa: R150,000
- 5. Goodman Mosele: R150,000
For context, key central defender Olisa Ndah is collecting just R107,000 a month. Miguel Timm takes home R120,000. Would you say that the Pirates wage bill is distorted or lopsided?
Hotto’s time with Pirates is drawing to a close
Hotto, a star for Namibia at Afcon 2023, has been a rock-solid operator down the left-hand side of the Pirates team. Equally adept in defence or midfield, he’s a manager’s dream. At 34, however, his contract expires in June and is unlikely to be extended as he’s currently on R500k a month. The vastly experienced star has 65 caps and 10 goals for his country. He’s made 18 appearances in the Betway Premiership this season with three goals and four assists. To say he’ll be difficult to replace is a gross understatement. Will they live to regret letting him go? There are at least two more years left in his legs at the top level. Also, put Hotto in almost any position on the pitch and he’ll give you a solid performance.
Here’s one fan’s sentiments:
“I don’t know who must come out of this Pirates side to give way for the evergreen Hotto, who hasn’t tasted a bad day at the office since the current season began. His work rate is unmatched in the PSL at the moment.”
What is Saleng earning, for reference?
Meanwhile, according to the 27-year-old winger Monnapule Saleng’s childhood friend Boikanyo Maine, the 2022-2023 PSL Player of the Season is earning as little as R70k a month. That number, if true, pales in comparison with some of the league’s top earners, or indeed a few clubmates, primarily Patrick Maswanganyi, Deon Hotto, Evidence Makgopa and even Zakhele Lepasa.
What should Saleng be earning?
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