Orlando Pirates could have a double incentive to tie down coach Jose Riveiro at the club according the latest reports.
Pirates are in two different pressing situations at the moment, one with Riveiro and another with Monnapule Saleng.
Just two weeks ago Saleng returned to action for the first time in 2025, having being sidelined by Pirates. His first bit of football came courtesy of Bafana Bafana, an impressive 90 minute outing against the Pharaohs. This in a 1-1 draw in the African Nations Championship qualifiers first leg. However, the player had not made the squad for the second leg in Egypt, a 3-1 win.
Saleng’s future up in smoke as well as Riveiro
That prompted suggestions that Pirates had recalled Saleng after he impressed for Bafana Bafana. But that is not the case as we reported earlier that he did not show up to the team camp in Johannesburg and was subsequently released. In the end, the player was still nowhere to be found with the team advancing in the Nedbank Cup. This coming courtesy of a penalty shootout win over SuperSport United. Furthermore, the player didn’t travel down to Cape Town for the 0-0 draw against 10-men Stellenbosch either.
On the other hand, Riveiro will see his Pirates deal expire at the end of the current season. Should he leave, part of his legacy at the club would be unleashing Saleng. Now according to Soccer-Laduma, their two futures at the club could be linked to each other.
Two futures linked?
“He (Saleng) was one of the first names on the coach’s (Riveiro) line-ups. It is without a doubt that he is one of the players whose talent the coach admires. The coach would love to have him in his (Pirates) team again even if it’s beyond this season,” said the source to the same publication.
Pirates fans, would you like to see both Saleng and Riveiro remain at the club beyond this season? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab. Or by emailing [email protected] or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
