Orlando Pirates star Monnapule Saleng showed signs of his old self, and Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos hopes he maintains his form, amid rumours of a move abroad.
For much of the season, Saleng has been on the fringes and did not see much game-time, making just 13 appearances in all competitions with three goals.
Read: Bucs Punish Lions To Keep Nedbank Cup Defence Alive
During the national team announcement, the coach was frank in his thoughts on Saleng's performance
“(I think) the reason why he didn’t play at Pirates and maybe he wasn’t with us anymore, everybody knows Saleng is a good player. But certainly, I think, I think there was too much publicity to go to Europe and he was thinking maybe now it’s finished, its done,” Broos said during the team announcement ahead of the clashes against Andorra and Algeria later this month.
The Belgian backs the pacy winger to maintain the momentum, adding how revered figures like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo cannot afford a bad day at the office.
“When you don’t have the mentality to play every time, and I said to everyone when you see Messi, Ronaldo, they play every day their game. They can’t afford to have a bad game.
“So, this is the mentality you need, I think and hope now that Saleng understood now that what he did before, it was not the right thing to do, and you see in the game now, he scored two goals,” he said.
READ: Euro Suitors Keep Close Watch On Pirates Star
With Bafana set to partake in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June, Broos explained that he plans to take a special interest in the Pirates star.
“I will watch him in the next games because you see in the games now, it’s not finished by scoring those two goals, so he has to go on now. Then, we will see in June maybe he will again be with Bafana Bafana,” Broos said.
Saleng was instrumental in Bucs' 4-0 Nedbank Cup win over Hungry Lions.
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