Orbit College FC coach Makhoye changes stance on Saleng

Orbit College FC attacker Monnapule Saleng is finally showing flashes of his old brilliance, and his coach, Pogiso Makhoye, is happily eating his words.

After the Orlando Pirates loanee delivered the winning goal in Orbit College FC’s crucial 2-1 victory over Richards Bay FC on Friday night in a Betway Premiership tie, Makhoye heaped praise on the winger, marking a significant reversal from his previous criticism.

Just last month, Makhoye did not mince words, expressing disappointment in Saleng’s contribution since arriving at his boyhood club on loan in July 2025.

He noted the team’s youngsters appeared to excel without him, implying that the former Pirates star’s presence actually impeded the squad’s development and collective level of play.

This followed a difficult period at the Buccaneers, where the 27-year-old was dropped from the senior squad entirely.

The Goal That Ended the Drought For Orbit College FC star Saleng

The dramatic turnaround came at the Umhlathuze Sports Complex. After Orbit opened the scoring through Lethabo Modimoeng, only to see Knox Mutizwa equalise for the “Natal Rich Boyz,” it was Saleng who secured the points, scoring the winner in the 51st minute.

Following the match, Makhoye revealed his pre-game challenge to the player: “I said to him, ‘Now is about time you need to score because you have been creating chances and getting in the right areas. I think you just need a goal. Tonight should be that night.’ What a way to do it,” Makhoye told SuperSport TV.

Makhoye stressed that the belief in Saleng never truly wavered, despite the earlier public acknowledgement of his poor form. “We know what Saleng can give, and he is giving us that,” the coach affirmed, relieved that the result also “broken that dark spell of away games” for the North West side.

Saleng’s winning goal marks his first of the season in nine appearances across all competitions for Orbit.

⚽ Follow Pan-Africa Football across platforms for real-time news and stories.