The Monnapule Saleng saga at Mamelodi Sundowns has taken another dramatic turn, with the talented winger currently finding himself on the outside of the club’s first-team setup.
Saleng arrived at Sundowns in January 2026 from Orlando Pirates, a move that was expected to give one of South Africa’s most exciting attacking players a fresh start and another opportunity to establish himself among the country’s elite.
Instead, his time at Chloorkop has become increasingly complicated.
According to Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso, Saleng has been separated from the senior squad after what the coach described as repeated breaches of the club’s rules and values. Cardoso said the matter was no longer simply a footballing or coaching decision, but a club matter.
🔥 HOW DID IT REACH THIS POINT?
Cardoso has provided some insight into the situation.
The coach said Saleng had repeatedly failed to meet the standards expected inside the dressing room and at the club. One of the incidents reportedly involved the player being selected for a CAF Champions League fixture but failing to report for the match.
Cardoso also said Saleng was subsequently included in a training camp but did not attend.
Those incidents reportedly contributed to Sundowns taking the decision to separate the player from the first team.
The situation is particularly surprising because Saleng was brought to Sundowns with significant expectations.
💛 FROM PIRATES STAR TO SUNDOWNS OUTCAST?
There was a time when Saleng was regarded as one of the most exciting attacking players in South African football.
During his rise at Orlando Pirates, the winger became known for his pace, direct running, creativity and ability to create problems for defenders.
His performances also earned him recognition at international level, putting him firmly in the Bafana Bafana conversation.
That made his move to Sundowns even more intriguing.
Many supporters expected the move to be a fresh chapter in his career — an opportunity to compete for trophies, play alongside some of the country's best players and rebuild his momentum.
But instead of becoming a regular feature in the Sundowns attack, Saleng has found himself away from the first-team environment.
🚫 IS SALENG REALLY “BLACKLISTED”?
The word “blacklisted” is being used by some football supporters to describe the situation, but it is important to make the distinction.
There has been no confirmed statement from Sundowns officially describing Saleng as “blacklisted.”
What has been reported is that he has been excluded from first-team training and matchday involvement, with Cardoso saying the decision followed repeated breaches of the club's rules and values.
That is a significant distinction.
It means the situation should not automatically be interpreted as a permanent ban or confirmation that Sundowns have decided to terminate his contract.
However, the fact that the matter has continued into the new season has naturally raised serious questions about Saleng's future.
👀 HIS FUTURE AT SUNDOWNS NOW IN DOUBT
The longer Saleng remains away from the first team, the more uncertainty surrounds his future.
Recent match records show that he has continued to be left out of Sundowns' matchday squads during the opening weeks of the 2026/27 season.
Reports have also suggested that his future could ultimately be decided by the club's management rather than the coaching staff.
That leaves Saleng in a difficult position.
At 28, he should arguably be entering another important stage of his career. Instead, he is fighting to get back into the environment where he can actually compete for selection.
⚽ TALENT VS DISCIPLINE
The Saleng situation has also sparked a wider debate in South African football.
How much should a club tolerate when a player has exceptional ability but repeatedly falls short of the standards expected by the team?
Sundowns are one of the most demanding clubs on the continent. The competition for places is intense, and the club has made it clear that talent alone is not enough.
Cardoso's comments suggest that Sundowns believe the issue goes beyond what happens on the pitch.
For Saleng, therefore, the challenge may no longer simply be about proving that he can score goals, create chances or beat defenders.
It may be about rebuilding trust.
🔥 WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
The biggest question now is whether Saleng can repair his relationship with the club and return to the first-team setup.
If that happens, he still has the ability to remind supporters why Sundowns wanted him in the first place.
But if the stand-off continues, a transfer or another solution could eventually become a serious possibility.
For now, the message from Sundowns appears clear: the club's rules and values come first.
Saleng's situation remains one of the most intriguing stories in South African football, and supporters will be watching closely to see whether the talented winger can make his way back into the Sundowns fold — or whether his short and turbulent chapter at Chloorkop is heading towards an early ending.
One thing is certain: this story is far from over.
🟡 Is Sundowns right to keep Saleng away from the first team?
🔴 Or should the club give the talented winger another chance?
Comments
Post a Comment