Mamelodi Sundowns Coach Cardoso Reveals Why Monnapule Saleng Was Exiled From Squad
- Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso addressed Monnapule Saleng's prolonged absence from the first team during a post-match press conference
- Cardoso revealed that the 28-year-old winger committed a series of disciplinary breaches, including failing to show up for a CAF Champions League fixture
- Saleng's future at Chloorkop remains uncertain as the club has officially separated him from the senior squad
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Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has publicly confirmed that winger Monnapule Saleng has been removed from the senior squad following a series of disciplinary violations, casting serious doubt over the 28-year-old's future at the club.
Source: Twitter
Cardoso addressed the situation during a post-match press conference after Sundowns advanced to the MTN8 semi-finals with a 3-2 extra-time victory over Polokwane City. Saleng's conspicuous absence from the squad drew immediate attention, prompting the Portuguese coach to speak candidly about the circumstances.
Cardoso details pattern of misconduct
"Saleng consecutively broke the rules and values of the locker room and of the club, and in this moment, well, not in this moment, for some time already he is not training with the team," Cardoso told reporters.
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The coach outlined specific incidents that contributed to the breakdown, including the winger's failure to report for a CAF Champions League fixture despite being named in the matchday squad. Saleng also failed to join the team for a pre-season camp, either by not appearing or by refusing outright.
"Saleng was on the list for the second match of the Champions League [final], and he didn't appear," Cardoso explained.
"Saleng was on the list to go [pre-season] camp, but he did not appear, or he said he would not go."
The coach stressed that the club had extended significant patience before reaching its decision, noting that Saleng had been given repeated opportunities to realign with the squad's standards.
"So it's impossible for us to keep stability with a player you give so much love, even after he systematically failed but is not ready to make the path that the team needs to have," Cardoso added.
No timeline for Saleng's return
Cardoso confirmed that the club's hierarchy had backed the decision to formally separate Saleng from the first-team environment, with no indication of when or whether the winger might be reintegrated.
"So the club decided to separate him from the team; he's not with us right now," the coach said.
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The winger joined Masandawana with considerable expectations after establishing himself as one of South Africa's most exciting attackers. Still, the disciplinary fallout has left his position at Chloorkop untenable for now.
With Sundowns facing four PSL fixtures in August alone, including a clash against Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium on 15 August, Cardoso's focus remains firmly on players committed to the collective cause.
Fans reacted with shock to the revelations;
@Nkoskhodola_23:
''This is not right😭😭 he must come back home.''
@Tlouwi1:
''I hope the teams can go deeper to assist players when they have off-the-pitch problems. I hate to see talents going to waste, irrespective of who the player is playing for. I do not support Sundowns, but I hate the destruction of players.''☹️
@Diamond_Blackie:
''Ba mo loyile. It's the only thing that makes sense to me right now.''
@Kgosiking77:
''It's the “George Maluleka” repeat. All they wanted was to destabilise Pirates. They never wanted him… at least the boy is earning a fat salary.''
@siyanda78195:
''I can bet Mamelodi Sundowns won't go anywhere under the hand of this coach Cardoso. Luckily, last season he won the Champions League; this season he won't get anything cos he hates all African players.''
Sundowns hit with major setback
Briefly News also reported that Sundowns have been hit with a major setback ahead of their match against Orbit College in the Betway Premiership.
The Brazilians would be without one of their key players when they face the newly promoted side in their second half of the season league opener.
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Source: Briefly News
