Former Kaizer Chiefs Star Explains Why Youngsters Like Mahou Nkota Are Outshining Saleng
- A former Kaizer Chiefs forward has slammed Monnapule Saleng while comparing him with youngsters like Mohau Nkota
- Saleng left Orlando Pirates in the summer for a loan move to Orbit College FC, and scored his first goal for the club over the weekend
- The Orlando Pirates loanee has been told why he's been outshone by young talented South African players
Former Kaizer Chiefs star Thuso Phala has criticised Monnapule Saleng, suggesting the winger’s career decline is due to a lack of respect for the game.
Source: Getty Images
Once a rising star at Orlando Pirates, Saleng has struggled to maintain his form and has since joined newly-promoted Orbit College, where he netted his first goal against Richards Bay on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
The 26-year-old had been sidelined at Pirates since November last year, with no official explanation from then-coach Jose Riveiro regarding his exclusion from the squad.
After he was excluded from Pirates' team last season, young talent Mohau Nkota broke into the first team and made an immediate impact within the team.
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Nkota's performance for the Soweto giants last season earned him a big-money move to the Saudi Pro League, where he joined Al-Ettifaq.
He has since become a regular in the South African national team, scoring against Lesotho in the World Cup qualifiers and also forcing an own goal against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Phala speaks on Saleng
Phala believes that Monnapule Saleng’s recent struggles stem from his mindset and questions whether the winger would succeed at a club like Kaizer Chiefs, where more than just talent is needed to succeed.
“He’s a quality player, and at Kaizer Chiefs, we want quality players,” Phala said on the Omniaudio Africa YouTube channel, as quoted by Soccer Laduma.
“But the unfortunate part is that quality alone at Chiefs is not enough. In football, no one is bigger than the game or the team.”
The former Kaizer Chiefs forward went on to explain why Saleng has been outshone by Nkota.
He emphasised that respect for the game plays a key role in a player’s success, suggesting that Saleng’s decline may be due to factors beyond his ability.
He noted that while the reasons behind Saleng’s absence at Orlando Pirates have not been publicly clarified, the contrast with young talent Mohau Nkota is telling.
Source: Getty Images
“If you respect the game, the game will respect you back,” Phala said. “We don’t know why he stopped playing at Pirates. There were many stories. Then comes Nkota; Saleng is far more talented than Nkota, yet Nkota comes in, plays a season, scores goals, makes the national team, and earns a big-money move, all because he respects the game.”
Phala added that such professionalism might explain why Saleng has not secured an overseas transfer despite his past performances.
Saleng's Orlando Pirates struggles
Briefly News previously reported that Saleng is battling with depression, worsened by his dissatisfaction with the club.
The Bafana Bafana star reportedly feels underpaid, believing that his contributions on the field are not adequately reflected in his salary.
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Source: Briefly News
