Former Orlando Pirates star Eugene Zwane has broken his silence on the situation involving Monnapule Saleng, coming to the club’s defence amid the ongoing contract standoff.
Saleng, 27, hasn’t featured for the Buccaneers since December 2024. Reports suggest the winger attempted to renegotiate his contract mid-season, which reportedly created tension between him and the club’s management when the request was denied.
Zwane: “Saleng Must Honour the Deal He Signed”
Speaking to Soccer Laduma, Zwane weighed in on the matter, saying Saleng should not expect his deal to be altered just because he now feels underpaid compared to teammates.
“Every player comes into the PSL and negotiates a contract—either on their own or through an agent. Once that agreement is signed, it must be respected,” Zwane said.
“You can’t suddenly discover other players are earning more and demand changes mid-season. That’s not how it works. If you want better terms, you work hard, see out your contract, and negotiate from a stronger position when it expires.”
Zwane made it clear that the club had done nothing wrong, insisting that professional conduct includes honoring contractual agreements—even when personal opinions change.
“If you think you deserve more, you or your representative must go through the proper channels. But refusing to play because you’re unhappy with your salary? That’s unprofessional,” he added.
What’s Next for Saleng?
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Saleng remains under contract with Pirates and is reportedly expected to rejoin the squad for pre-season next month. While links to other clubs have emerged, no official move has been confirmed.
