Mamelodi Sundowns urged to investigate Monnapule Saleng situation before return

Mamelodi Sundowns have been advised to establish the nature of Monnapule Saleng’s mental health difficulties before deciding how best to manage his return to competitive football.

Augusto Palacios, a veteran coach with extensive experience of South African football, has urged caution as the 28-year-old winger attempts to rebuild his involvement with the club.

Saleng has not played for Sundowns since head coach Miguel Cardoso revealed at the start of the season that the player had breached the club’s disciplinary code of conduct. The coach said Saleng had failed to report for camp on several occasions in 2025/26.

The former Orlando Pirates player was subsequently separated from the rest of the squad in an effort to protect team harmony. He has since returned to training, although he is yet to make his competitive debut for Sundowns.

Saleng joined the Tshwane club as a high-profile signing from Orlando Pirates after completing a loan move at Orbit College.

His agent, Karabo Mathang-Tshabuse, later said in a radio interview that Saleng had experienced mental health difficulties and that assistance had been sought for him. Mathang-Tshabuse also stressed that a resolution depended on the player accepting the help available.

Discussing the situation in the October edition of KICK OFF Magazine, Palacios said the response should depend on the underlying cause.

“For me, it really depends on what type of mental health problem it is. Remember, in football you have mental illness because you’re injured, you have mental illness because you have family problems, you have mental illness because you are drinking or taking drugs,” said Palacios.

“So, it depends.

“It is important that, as a coach, you first investigate what type of mental health problem he has and whether it involves soccer or his private life, you understand?

“That’s my advice.

“First investigate or observe what the problem is so that you will know whether he needs a specialist doctor or a psychologist.”

Sundowns face a busy run of fixtures that could provide Cardoso with opportunities to consider Saleng for match involvement.

They host the second leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie against Angola’s Wiliete SC on Friday. A Carling Knockout fixture against Marumo Gallants follows days later, before Sundowns face Durban City FC in the Betway Premiership the following weekend.

It remains unclear whether Cardoso will give Saleng any minutes in one of those matches as the winger continues his return to first-team football.