Amid the saga involving Orlando Pirates and Monnapule Saleng, former winger Thuso Phala has offered his contractual dispute experience and advice.
Pirates have been loud with their silence when it comes to the whereabouts of Saleng, who is yet to feature or appear in the squad since 7 December 2024.
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He is understood to allegedly be in a contractual dispute with the club, regarding his salary expectations.
Even though The Ghost miss the 26-year-old old on the pitch, a longer stay out of the game could also affect his career.
Phala, drawing from his experience of negotiating contracts as a player, has advised Saleng to show up to training, even if he may not be happy, as he could be sabotaging his career.
"You must follow your contract. Fortunately for me, I had my mom. I understood: 'Okay, my contract (at Platinum Stars ) says you get paid R2, 500 per month', but they were giving me R8, 000, which is more money for me. But it's not in the contract," Phala said, relating his story on TimesLIVE YouTube Channel.
"So, when they come with a new contract that: 'You know what, that R8 000 we're giving you, we want to put it on paper', I'm like: 'Now I have negotiating power, R8 000!? I want R20, 000. They wanted to pin me down to a three-year contract that starts at R8,000.
"I was like: 'No, no, guys, let's start somewhere (where) it makes sense for me'.
"The player (Saleng) now, I hope he's getting the right advice because in football, the decision you make can make or break you. He needs to know the right time to negotiate with such a team because at the end of the day, he's going to move, but Pirates will still be there.
"So, don't forget no one is bigger than that badge.
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"If you're not happy with your salary, I go to training even when I'm angry Let (my agent) fight them in the office, but I'm there at training, early," the former Kaizer Chiefs man added.
Even though Saleng was not a regular early this season, he has scored five goals in 13 matches.