Head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, Miguel Cardoso has vowed to help new signing Monnapule Saleng rediscover his form at the club.
In a shocking switch, the South African powerhouse secured the signing of Saleng from Orlando Pirates in an attempt to bolster their squad of the campaign.
Following a break up in relationship, the enterprising attacker spent half of the current campaign with fellow South African club, Orbit College.
And according to Cardoso, his outfit intends to do all in their power to ensure Saleng displays the quality football and talent he is known for.
“Saleng is an international player for South Africa, qualified player,” said Cardoso.
“I remember when coach Jose Riveiro spoke about Saleng in the moment he started to struggle at Pirates regarding playing and not playing and being separated from the group.
“I don’t need to speak about his quality, you know the quality that he has. I won’t speak about what happened, Pirates don’t have anything to do with me.
“What is important to know is we wanted to sign a winger and a quick, aggressive player, who can bring something different from what we had in our squad.
“It’s important that the coach has different tools to manage different opponents and characteristics of games. So the decision to bring Saleng was a sport decision from the club that obviously I had a say in.”
The former Free State Stars and Moroka Swallows midfielder is currently out with an injury and his Sundowns debut will be after he recovers and Cardoso said the team will allow him to recover first then get him to his best.
“We have expectation for the future but we also have patience. Unfortunately, he’s injured and not ready to give his services to the club,” he added.
“It will take some time. We have to have patience to bring him to his best level. He needs to recover from the injury but he will recover naturally.
“Signing him in this condition is also a word of trust on the boy, our medical department and the work we’re going to do together.”
