Monnapule Saleng Opens Up on Golden Arrows Deal That Never Materialized

Newly signed Mamelodi Sundowns attacker Monnapule Saleng has revealed the details of a contract he signed with Lamontville Golden Arrows, which ultimately did not come to fruition. The left-footer, who recently joined Sundowns after a loan stint with Orbit College, shared his experience on the Pitchside Podcast.

Saleng explained that his path to prominence included a brief episode with Golden Arrows. After impressing during a trial, he signed a contract with the KZN side, only for the club to fail to honor the agreement. He was instructed not to report for duty, and no salary was paid.

“I went to AmaZulu for an assessment, but they said they would get back to me. While I was there, I got a call from Golden Arrows. I went to Arrows and I signed a contract, and they told me to come back for pre-season in June – but there was nothing after that,” Saleng said.

The lack of communication frustrated both Saleng and coach Pogiso Makhoye, who was also awaiting confirmation. Ultimately, Saleng decided to join Free State Stars. The club contacted Golden Arrows to formally release him, as Arrows had failed to call him for pre-season.

Saleng’s career then took off at Free State Stars, where he impressed enough to earn a move to Orlando Pirates. During his time at Pirates, he won five trophies, solidifying his reputation as a dynamic attacking player in South African football.

The Sundowns signing marks another step in Saleng’s career, giving him the opportunity to continue his development in one of South Africa’s top teams. His experience with Golden Arrows remains a cautionary tale about the unpredictability of football contracts, but his resilience has clearly shaped his path to success.