Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso says Monnapule Saleng has been separated from the first team after repeatedly breaching the club’s rules and dressing-room values.
Saleng was a notable absentee as Sundowns began their domestic campaign with a 3-2 extra-time victory over Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-finals.
Cardoso confirmed after the match that the forward has not trained with the senior squad for some time following a series of disciplinary issues.
“Regarding Saleng, the situation is unfortunately different. Saleng consecutively broke the rules and values of the locker room and of the club and for some time already he is not training with the team,” Cardoso said.
The Portuguese coach revealed that Saleng had previously failed to report for duty despite being included in the squad for a CAF Champions League match and a training camp.
“Saleng was on the list for the second match of the Champions League and he did not appear.”
“Saleng was on the list to go on camp, he didn’t appear or he said he would not go.”
Cardoso said Sundowns had continued to support the player despite what he described as repeated mistakes, but stressed that the club could no longer compromise on the standards expected within the squad.
“It’s important for us to keep stability with a player that we gave so much love even after systematic mistakes, but is not willing to make the path a team in this level has to have.”
The club subsequently decided to remove Saleng from the first-team environment, with the player currently training separately.
The decision comes at the start of an important campaign for Sundowns, who are entering the domestic season as reigning African champions and are seeking success across multiple competitions.
Cardoso’s comments make clear that Saleng’s absence from the MTN8 victory was not a tactical decision, but the result of an ongoing disciplinary matter.
For now, the forward remains outside the first-team group as Sundowns insist on maintaining discipline, stability and adherence to the standards expected at the club.
