Orlando Pirates midfielder Thabang Monare believes Monnapule Saleng has the potential to be crowned Footballer of the Season, but has stressed the importance of allowing the club’s top scorer to grow without putting too much pressure on him.
Saleng was given his chance to impress in October, after not playing in August and September, and has since become a crucial part of the Buccaneers attack. He has scored eight goals and provided three assists in all competitions this season, and there have been calls for him to be considered for the PSL Footballer of the Season award.
“It’s very tricky for now to say that (he will be footballer of the season), because we are a team that is growing a game at a time. I feel like sometimes we get in the way of allowing players to grow. I think we should allow Saleng to grow to be the great footballer that he is and let’s not put him under pressure. He is playing for a team and he is a very good player,” Monare said after the Nedbank Cup last 16 draw was conducted in Randburg, Johannesburg, on Wednesday evening.
“I don’t think that statement of saying he might be footballer of the season… Yes, he is capable of that, but we are a team and we are working together. I feel like people are not allowing him time to grow. I think that that’s the pressure we get under as footballers. We feel like we have to do certain things.”
Monare believes that Saleng should be given the chance to grow into the player he can be, without the added pressure of being in the running for the Footballer of the Season award.
