Riveiro Dishes Out High Praise For Bucs Star

Premier Soccer League Footballer of the Season nominee, Saleng was at the heart of this achievement, having been involved in all three goals scored by Pirates in the first half.

Saleng, who is nominated for four awards and heavy favorite to win that of the MTN8 Last Man Standing, set up the first two goals scored by Thabiso Monyane and rising star Relebohile Ratomo, before joining the party to score the third.

Knowing that AmaZulu were overwhelmed, coach Riveiro took his star forward off midway through the second half with the Nedbank Cup final against Sekhukhune United at Loftus Stadium next week Saturday in his mind.

The Vigo-born coach said having been nominated for four awards might have motivated the former Swallows attacker to show how good he has been this season.

“Saleng was extra motivated obviously because his season has been excellent,” said Riveiro, who hardly praises his players to the media, after the match.

“What can I say about the boy and on Saturday he had one more opportunity to show his talent and he didn’t want to lose that opportunity and that is why he contributed one more time, helping us to get the three points. It was an outstanding performance in my eyes.”     

Saleng’s goal means he finished with 11 league goals, third in the race for the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot, one behind joint-winners Peter Shalulule and Khanyisa Mayo.

But the former Free State Stars attacker, who was loaned to Swallows last season, should have grabbed two or three goals against AmaZulu.

In the first minute of the game, he should have applied a better finish and also in the second half before he was taken off, missing a big chance from close range and allowing goalkeeper Jody February to pull off a big save.

The good news for Saleng is that, when the Bucs face Sekhukhune, he will have his partner in crime – Thembinkosi Lorch, who came on in the second half against Usuthu after he recovered from the injury.