Video: Monnapule Saleng Punishes Veli Mothwa in MTN8 Final Like He Almost Caught Out Ronwen Williams

Video: Monnapule Saleng Punishes Veli Mothwa in MTN8 Final Like He Almost Caught Out Ronwen Williams

Keba Mothoagae
updated at August 9, 2023 at 9:30 AM
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  • Orlando Pirates midfielder Monnapule Saleng scored a screamer of a free kick against AmaZulu to ensure the Buccaneers claimed the MTN8 trophy
  • The exciting Saleng caught out Usuthu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa from a very tight angle
  • Mothwa should have known something was up, as a viral video showed Saleng almost nailing Sundowns shot-stopper Ronwen Williams in a similar manner

Monnapule Saleng's sensational free kick, that inspired Orlando Pirates to the win over AmaZulu in the MTN8 final, was no fluke.

In the 25th minute of the match, Saleng wickedly curled the ball in over Usuthu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa in what appeared to be a cross. However, a viral video showed that he had attempted this earlier in the competition.

monnapule saleng, orlando pirates, amazulu, mamelodi sundowns, mtn8 final, veli mothwa, ronwen williams
Monnapule Saleng succeeded against AmaZulu where he failed against Mamelodi Sundowns. Image source: SuperSport Football.
Source: Facebook

SuperSport Football on Facebook shared the video, which juxtaposed the goal with a free kick he took against Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of the semi-finals at Orlando Stadium early last month.

On that occasion, the ball hit the crossbar, with goalkeeper Ronwen Williams rooted to the ground in surprise - having not expected that Saleng would dare test him from that position.

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The match ended 0-0, before Saleng proceeded to destroy the Brazilians in the second leg at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane three weeks later.

He scored a brace while also assisting for Kermit Erasmus in a match that the Buccaneers ran out 3-0 winners.

The win ensured Pirates' 11th title win in the history of the competition, four behind record winners Kaizer Chiefs, which boasts 15 wins.

Julius Malema: only Pirates won

One of Orlando Pirates' most famous supporters acknowledged the club's MTN8 final victory on the weekend, Sports Brief has reported.

Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema made it a point to reference the Buccaneers' 1-0 win over AmaZulu, during the party's conference in the Eastern Cape. Malema is a regular at Pirates matches, particularly at Soweto derbies when the team takes on Kaizer Chiefs.

Contextually, Malema was criticising delegates at the Provincial People's Assembly (PPA) held in East London, for failing to elect a female representative in the organisation's provincial top five.

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