How Arrows and AmaZulu missed out on signing Saleng

Monnapule Saleng, who has been a revelation for Orlando Pirates this season, could have signed for one of the DStv Premiership clubs in KwaZulu-Natal.

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Saleng  was signed by the Sea Robbers in 2021 from Free State Stars while playing in the National First Division (NFD). 

Before his journey started with Stars, the winger revealed that he had an assessment at AmaZulu FC and Golden Arrows offered him a contract.

With Arrows coming with a contract, Saleng could have decided to join them, but he decided otherwise, and went on to play in the lower league for Stars.

“I started playing in the ABC Motsepe League. I was playing for Junior Pirates, a club from the North West. Then from Junior Pirates I went to Orbit College FC where I spent three seasons. After Orbit, just before my move to Free State Stars, I went to AmaZulu for an assessment,” the 25-years old told Pirates media.

“Then Arrows came and they offered me a first team contract. But I ended up going to Free State. I spent two seasons with Stars. In the first season, I was trying to adjust to the conditions. In my second season, I became a top goal-scorer at the club, that’s when Pirates approached me and gave me a contract.”

When Saleng arrived at the Buccaneers, he was quickly sent out on loan to Swallows FC. The winger feels that he learnt a lot from the Birds’ experienced players before returning to his parent club this season. 

“I’ve learnt a lot at Swallows because I arrived with the club having a lot of experienced players. Guys like Vuyo Mere, Lebogang ‘Cheeseboy’ Mokoena, Musa Nyatama, Thela Ngobeni, and a lot of others. When you play with experienced players who have been playing in the PSL for a long time, they motivate and build you because it’s your first season,” Saleng added.

“The tempo in the NFD and the PSL are not the same.”

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Saleng has scored 14 goals in all competitions for Pirates this campaign and has made five assists.