A PSL coach, who played a major role in the rise of Orlando Pirates winger Monnapule Saleng, has questioned his continued exclusion from the Bafana Bafana squad.
Saleng had a disappointing 2023/24 season by his standards, after scoring only five goals and struggling for game-time, managing only 17 appearances in all competitions.
It was in stark contrast to what the former Free State Stars top goal-scorer had delivered in the campaign prior, where he scored 15 goals and had 11 assists in 30 games and was named PSL Players' Player of the Season, among his major accolades.
The 26-year-old has started to rediscover his form, with five goals already in 10 matches.
However, Saleng did not make the Bafana Bafana preliminary squad ahead of back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo-Brazzaville and, as a result, was not in the final 23.
Former Moroka Swallows head coach Dylan Kerr, who launched his career in the PSL, after the player was sent out on loan to the Birds in 2021/22, says players like the dribbling wizard need to be given confidence.
"When I took over at Swallows, Saleng lacked confidence, he lacked belief in his own ability and I said to him: 'Just go out and play, do what you're good at enjoying'," Kerr tells KickOff.
"Saleng came to me at Swallows, he wasn't playing. I took him to another level and now he's the best player at Orlando Pirates.
"He's not at Bafana, I don't know what the coach is looking for. Give him the confidence. [With] certain players, [it] is all about giving them confidence, giving them the belief.
"Because they've got the ability, they've got the quality. If you're always positive with them and you believe in them, yes, they will make mistakes, lose the ball in the opposition's half, but they will turn and score two, three goals," the former Leeds United defender added.