Cardoso hints at Sundowns return for Saleng after training comeback

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says Monnapule Saleng’s recent return to training indicates the winger is interested in continuing his career with the club at Chloorkop.

The 28-year-old attacker had spent a prolonged period away from the first-team set-up after reportedly being barred from training with the senior squad. Saleng was alleged to have gone AWOL before the CAF Champions League final in May and later declined to travel to Austria for pre-season two months afterwards.

His subsequent appearances with the Sundowns squad have offered a more positive sign over his future. Cardoso said the club and the player were now attempting to rebuild their relationship and focus on moving forward.

> “We as the club from the Chairman to the captain, we want to give ourselves and Saleng the opportunity to move forwards in a positive way. Saleng trained alone for a while and he trained consistently, and since he re-joined the team he has remained on that path.”

Cardoso’s comments suggest Saleng is likely to feature for Sundowns again in the coming months, provided he maintains his current approach.

The coach acknowledged that the club has considerable depth in its squad this season, particularly in attacking positions, but indicated that Saleng remains part of his plans.

Cardoso repeatedly referred to the importance of “trust” in describing the relationship between Sundowns and the former Orlando Pirates talisman.

> “He is a player who we trust, and we are trying to create a positive relationship so that he can perform for us again. We want to support him because at Mamelodi Sundowns we want the best for our players.”

The coach’s comments represent an encouraging update for Saleng, who had been absent from the team after the events surrounding the end of the previous campaign and the club’s pre-season preparations.

Rather than closing the door on the winger, Sundowns are now seeking to support his return and help him regain a role within the squad. Cardoso’s assessment is that the consistency of Saleng’s individual training, followed by his reintegration with the team, has created a constructive basis for that process.

While the player’s future will depend on maintaining that progress, Cardoso made clear that Sundowns still trust Saleng and want him to perform for the club again.