Riveiro details tense Saleng confrontation

Former Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has opened up about a tense halftime exchange with winger Monnapule Saleng during the club’s ill-fated Carling Knockout Cup tie against Magesi FC, as revealed in the second instalment of their “Giants” documentary on Sunday night.

Pirates, considered strong favourites in the Carling Knockout Last 16, found themselves surprisingly 3-0 down at home against Magesi by halftime. The documentary captures a frustrated Riveiro confronting his squad in the dressing room, specifically asking Saleng, “Saleng, are you alright?”

Upon seeing the winger shake his head, Riveiro decisively responded, “No? Okay, out. Where is Nkota? Take Nkota.”

Riveiro’s Concerns Over Saleng’s State

Riveiro later narrated his perspective, explaining a feeling that something was amiss with Saleng. “The period of decision was weird, with Saleng… So he takes you to a weird space, to start to speculate if he’s okay or not, if he really wants to play for the team, or not,” the Spaniard explained.

He contrasted this with the player’s usual demeanour: “Because we know Saleng, we know what he’s capable of doing – always ready to play, always ready to train, always delivering incredible performances.”

Riveiro highlighted a noticeable shift in Saleng’s presence during the Magesi game. “You could see that the boy is not happy; he’s just not himself. He’s not the guy enjoying every action, even if he has to run to defend 60m, he enjoys the action as well. And he wasn’t there, it was weird.”

The documentary shows Saleng walking away from the dressing room, with Riveiro focusing his energy on the players who remained. “I tried to concentrate on what’s coming for the ones who want to go to the field and fight for the team one more time, another 45 or 50 minutes, and not giving time or energy to that issue, even though it was not something really nice to see,” he stated.

When briefly questioned about the incident, Saleng offered a cryptic response: “What caused the situation? A lot of things. A lot of things happened.” Further details are expected in upcoming “Giants” episodes, airing Sundays on SuperSport TV.

Saleng Seeks Fresh Start with Orbit College FC Loan

Pirates star Saleng has since joined newly promoted Orbit College FC on loan for the entirety of the 2025/26 season. This move sees Saleng return to where his career began, aiming to rediscover the form that once made him one of the country’s standout players.

Saleng’s loan comes after a tumultuous 2024/25 campaign. He was reportedly close to an exit following disagreements with the club over his contract, which saw him excluded from the team for several months. This led to widespread speculation about his future.

As his time away from the Soweto giants grew, so did concerns, with reports suggesting he even experienced mental health challenges during his exile.