Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says Monnapule Saleng will be given further opportunities after returning to action in the 1-0 Carling Knockout Cup victory over Marumo Gallants on Tuesday.
The midfielder came on late at Loftus, replacing Antonio van Wyk, in his first appearance after missing the end of last season and the beginning of the current campaign because of personal issues.
Saleng has since been reintegrated into the Sundowns squad, but faces strong competition for a regular place. Van Wyk, Tashereeq Matthews, Arthur Sales and Siyanda Ndlovu are all capable of operating on either wing.
Ndlovu scored the only goal of the match in the first half to send the Brazilians into the quarter-finals. Cardoso said Saleng would need to demonstrate consistency in training and matches if he is to increase his involvement.
“We, out of a process, don’t allow ourselves to exclude a human being,” Cardoso said.
“I have always told you and that’s the values I found inside this club. Those are the values that I share on myself and I multiply them with the players.
“Obviously we need to understand how to relate with everything that happened but we can’t exclude anyone. That’s the opportunity we gave Saleng to go from his thoughts and understand about himself.
“To show consistency, train systematically at a good level and be aware that some of the things that are important needed to change.”
Cardoso said Saleng’s chances should increase over the next few months as Sundowns attempt to regain the Betway Premiership title from Orlando Pirates.
Sundowns were eliminated from the Caf Champions League last week and remain involved in five competitions: the league, Caf Super Cup, Fifa Challenger Cup, Carling Knockout Cup and Nedbank Cup.
The demands of that schedule are expected to create more opportunities for players competing for regular game time.
“He [Saleng] made an effort in this match and he will have chances and he will be continuously evaluated like any other player, according to his performances,” Cardoso said.
“Obviously if he becomes consistent, he will have more opportunities but if he has fluctuations he will have less chances.
“I think tonight we really also wanted to show him we trust him by giving him the energy to enter in the match in a moment where it would be even easier to put another player and close the game.
“I still had the will to say, ‘Go in there’, and this is proof of the trust we have in him and a little bit of energy for him also to feel we are here for him when he will need it.”
