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Mamelodi Sundowns Monnapule Saleng Stuck on Sidelines as Management Takes Over
Mamelodi Sundowns’ 28‑year‑old winger Monnapule Saleng remains a mystery as the club’s front office steps into a role that was once handled by the coaching staff.
The former Orlando Pirates player signed with the Soweto giants in the January 2026 transfer window, yet he has yet to step onto the pitch in the 2026/27 season. Saleng is currently barred from first‑team training and has not recorded a single minute in any competition.
Sundowns’ head coach Miguel Cardoso clarified that the issue is no longer a coaching matter. "It has been handed to the club’s management," Cardoso said after Saleng missed the squad’s pre‑season tour in Europe, a trip that was meant to cement his place in the starting lineup.
Agent Karabo Mathang Tshabuse, who represents the winger, has spoken publicly about the challenges Saleng faces. "He is travelling a very difficult path," Tshabuse said, adding that while she can sense a problem, she cannot pinpoint its exact nature. She also noted that Saleng’s reactions during distressing periods can be hard to manage, a pattern she has seen with other players.
Saleng’s difficulties are not new. During his tenure with Orlando Pirates, he spent nearly a year sidelined, though the club never released a public explanation. He was subsequently loaned to Orbit College before completing his move to Sundowns.
Statistical records from Soccerway and Transfermarkt show limited appearances in recent seasons. A muscle strain reported in February 2026 kept him out of action for several weeks. Despite these setbacks, Saleng earned the MTN 8 Last Man Standing and DSTV Premiership Players’ Player of the Season awards in 2023, underscoring his talent.
Sundowns’ management has yet to confirm whether Saleng will stay, be loaned out, or be released during the open transfer window. The club’s most recent squad listings on ESPN and other sites list his name but show no match appearances.
The uncertainty arrives at a crucial time. Sundowns, which have claimed 15 league titles and 18 major trophies overall, are also the reigning CAF Champions League holders. Any disruption to squad depth could influence both domestic and continental ambitions.
Tshabuse has expressed a willingness to seek professional help for Saleng, stating, "What I can do is call for help, I can cry for help, I can walk with my client for that help, but it is up to him to say, let’s take it."
Cardoso has previously addressed rumors about other players’ futures, insisting that certain teammates would not be leaving during the current transfer window. Still, no formal statement regarding Saleng has been issued.
The situation remains fluid. With the transfer window still open, Sundowns could decide to retain Saleng, loan him out, or release him entirely. Management will likely weigh his potential contribution against his recent lack of match fitness and the team’s tactical needs.
For now, fans and analysts can only watch as Sundowns’ front office deliberates. The outcome will affect not only Saleng’s career but also the club’s roster planning for the remainder of the season and the upcoming CAF Champions League campaign.
In the absence of a definitive decision, Saleng’s future at Mamelodi Sundowns remains uncertain, and the club’s next steps will be closely monitored by supporters and the broader South African football community.
The former Orlando Pirates player signed with the Soweto giants in the January 2026 transfer window, yet he has yet to step onto the pitch in the 2026/27 season. Saleng is currently barred from first‑team training and has not recorded a single minute in any competition.
Sundowns’ head coach Miguel Cardoso clarified that the issue is no longer a coaching matter. "It has been handed to the club’s management," Cardoso said after Saleng missed the squad’s pre‑season tour in Europe, a trip that was meant to cement his place in the starting lineup.
Agent Karabo Mathang Tshabuse, who represents the winger, has spoken publicly about the challenges Saleng faces. "He is travelling a very difficult path," Tshabuse said, adding that while she can sense a problem, she cannot pinpoint its exact nature. She also noted that Saleng’s reactions during distressing periods can be hard to manage, a pattern she has seen with other players.
Saleng’s difficulties are not new. During his tenure with Orlando Pirates, he spent nearly a year sidelined, though the club never released a public explanation. He was subsequently loaned to Orbit College before completing his move to Sundowns.
Statistical records from Soccerway and Transfermarkt show limited appearances in recent seasons. A muscle strain reported in February 2026 kept him out of action for several weeks. Despite these setbacks, Saleng earned the MTN 8 Last Man Standing and DSTV Premiership Players’ Player of the Season awards in 2023, underscoring his talent.
Sundowns’ management has yet to confirm whether Saleng will stay, be loaned out, or be released during the open transfer window. The club’s most recent squad listings on ESPN and other sites list his name but show no match appearances.
The uncertainty arrives at a crucial time. Sundowns, which have claimed 15 league titles and 18 major trophies overall, are also the reigning CAF Champions League holders. Any disruption to squad depth could influence both domestic and continental ambitions.
Tshabuse has expressed a willingness to seek professional help for Saleng, stating, "What I can do is call for help, I can cry for help, I can walk with my client for that help, but it is up to him to say, let’s take it."
Cardoso has previously addressed rumors about other players’ futures, insisting that certain teammates would not be leaving during the current transfer window. Still, no formal statement regarding Saleng has been issued.
The situation remains fluid. With the transfer window still open, Sundowns could decide to retain Saleng, loan him out, or release him entirely. Management will likely weigh his potential contribution against his recent lack of match fitness and the team’s tactical needs.
For now, fans and analysts can only watch as Sundowns’ front office deliberates. The outcome will affect not only Saleng’s career but also the club’s roster planning for the remainder of the season and the upcoming CAF Champions League campaign.
In the absence of a definitive decision, Saleng’s future at Mamelodi Sundowns remains uncertain, and the club’s next steps will be closely monitored by supporters and the broader South African football community.
