'You signed that contract, so honour it': Pirates legend to Saleng

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Orlando Pirates legend Eugene Zwane has defended his former club over the situation with Monnapule Saleng.

The 27-year-old winger has not participated in a match for the Buccaneers since December of last year. It is believed that he attempted to renegotiate his contract with the club, but the Soweto giants remained firm in their stance, resulting in a strained relationship.

Speaking to Soccer Laduma, Zwane said Saleng was wrong to demand changes to his contract after both parties (he and Pirates) agreed on a deal.

“Here’s what I’d like to say about this matter, maybe even for any footballer. You can come into the team [in the PSL] from an amateur team, and you negotiate a contract,” Zwane said.

“Remember, the contract is negotiated by you or someone else on your behalf, and once it’s agreed, it’s agreed. You can’t know in the middle of the season, you find out ‘player X, Y, Z earns R50 000 more than me, but my contribution is better than his, therefore I need to have my contract changed’.”

Monnapule Saleng has not played for Pirates since December

“It does not work like that, you see. You negotiate a contract, and after you can go to your representatives to open discussions to request a review of your contract. But you can’t now say ‘I’m not going to play because somebody else earns more than me, or I’m not happy with my package, or I feel like I’m being cheated.”

Zwane said that Pirates had done nothing wrong and that it was up to Saleng to negotiate a new deal once his contract comes to an end.

“You signed that contract, you negotiated it, you must honour it. That’s how contracts work, and you work hard enough, so when the contract expires, you’re in a much stronger position to negotiate a better deal, that can even make up for the money you feel you should’ve been paid, plus the increase you feel you deserve for the term going forward.

“It’s negotiations, you just need to be smart or have people who are smart to handle it for you, but you can’t fight your team over a contract you negotiated yourself or was negotiated on your behalf by your management team,” Zwane concluded.

Saleng is still contracted with Pirates, although reports have linked him with a move away from the club. He is, however, expected to be included in the team ahead of their pre-season training next month.