Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro admits the Monnapule Saleng of the 2022/23 season could be back.
Saleng, 26, won the DStv Premiership Players’ Player of the Season when he netted 15 goals with 11 assists in 30 games in his first full season with the club.
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However, it was suggested some personal reasons had affected him in the following campaign as he cut a peripheral figure with the emergence of Patrick Maswanganyi and Relebohile Mofokeng in the first eleven.
His return of five goals and as many assists in 27 games didn’t live up to his lofty expectations but in the first game of the season he netted an extra-time winner and the opening goal assist in the 2-1 win over SuperSport United in the MTN8.
“I wish… If I compare this pre-season with the past pre-season, he’s in a better space – his performances, his work were really good,” Riveiro said when asked by iDiski Times in the post-match press conference.
“Today he showed what he’s capable to do. Good surrounding with good players at the same time.
“I think today he had a really good night, he was a permanent threat for the opponent. He was really happy now after the match and I’m sure it’s going to help him to go for a good season one more time.
“We missed him a little bit in certain moments last season, so we are happy to see this type of performance again. It feels like it’s been a long time [ago] that he was Man of the Match.”
Pirates now advance to the quarter-finals of the competition after the win at Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening.
