Raja Casablanca Target Shock Move for On-Loan Pirates Winger Monnapule Saleng
Monnapule Saleng’s career revival has taken an unexpected turn, with Moroccan heavyweights Raja Casablanca now reportedly pushing to sign the Orlando Pirates winger permanently.
Saleng is currently on a season-long loan at Orbit College after a difficult, almost invisible 2024/25 campaign at Pirates, where he hardly featured. Despite an inconsistent start under the newly promoted side, the 25-year-old has contributed two goals and three assists in 12 matches, slowly rebuilding confidence after a year in the wilderness.
His last meaningful action for Pirates came in late 2024 — a league appearance in November followed by a cameo in the CAF Champions League against Al Ahly. After that, he disappeared from the matchday squad entirely, with the Buccaneers never officially clarifying the reasons for his prolonged absence.
Raja Make Their Move
According to Unplayable, Raja Casablanca — 13-time Moroccan champions and three-time CAF Champions League winners — have inquired about the winger’s availability. The club’s South African head coach, Fadlu Davids, is believed to be a big admirer of Saleng and is open to taking him to North Africa on a permanent deal.
If Raja can agree terms with Pirates, Saleng could be set for one of the biggest transfers of his career.
Has Saleng Turned the Corner?
Questions remain about whether Saleng has fully rediscovered his peak form, given the off-field personal challenges that derailed his progress at Pirates last season.
His agent, Karabo Mathang-Tshabuse, opened up earlier this year on the Behind the Boot show:
“Players go through loss, grief — we’re human. It was a season where he needed a different kind of support. Things snowballed.”
She confirmed that Saleng was in a difficult emotional space, but said the loan has allowed him to rebuild mentally and physically.
What Happens Next?
A move to a continental giant like Raja Casablanca could reignite Saleng’s career in dramatic fashion — but the decision now lies in the negotiations between Raja and Orlando Pirates.