Baba Mthethwa release fresh new on Monnapule Saleng saga

Football commentator Baba Mthethwa has provided fresh details on the Monnapule Saleng situation that has divided Orlando Pirates supporters. Speaking on TikTok, Mthethwa claimed the dispute started with confusion over Saleng’s contract.

Saleng and his management believed his deal ended in June 2025. That belief was partly correct. However, the contract reportedly included a two-year option in favour of Orlando Pirates.

According to Mthethwa, Saleng’s camp failed to fully account for that option. As a result, the player and his representatives allegedly moved ahead with negotiations elsewhere. In December 2024, they reportedly signed a pre-contract agreement with Mamelodi Sundowns.

The timing of the alleged deal raised eyebrows. It reportedly occurred days before Pirates faced Magesi FC in a league fixture. In that match, young winger Mohau Nkota stepped up and delivered a standout performance.

His rise coincided with Saleng’s sudden absence from the team.Mthethwa claims Pirates later became aware of the pre-contract agreement. The club reportedly viewed the move as a breach of trust.

In response, Pirates exercised the two-year option in Saleng’s contract. That decision extended his stay at the club until 2027.Following the development, Saleng no longer featured in matchday squads. Pirates reportedly benched him for the remainder of the season.

The decision appeared administrative rather than technical.To manage the situation, Pirates later sent Saleng on loan to Orbit College. The move allowed the club to retain his registration while removing him from the immediate environment. It also prevented an early switch to Sundowns.

Neither Orlando Pirates nor Saleng’s representatives have released an official statement. However, Mthethwa’s account has offered a clearer timeline. It has also explained why one of the club’s key players vanished from selection without explanation.

If confirmed, the saga highlights the risks of contract misunderstandings. It also underlines the power clubs hold through option clauses. For now, the football public waits for formal confirmation from all parties involved.

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