Monnapule Saleng is dealing with psychological difficulties that go beyond disciplinary concerns, according to his agent, as the Mamelodi Sundowns winger remains away from the club’s first team.
The 28-year-old has not played for Sundowns this season. Head coach Miguel Cardoso previously confirmed that Saleng had been separated from the senior squad after a series of disciplinary breaches.
However, Saleng’s representative, Karabo Mathang-Tshabuse, says the player’s situation is more complex than questions about behaviour. Speaking on Sports Night Amplified with Andile Ncube, she offered further insight while stressing that she wanted to respect her client’s privacy.
“I think that he’s travelled a season that is quite difficult for him to show up as a professional player,” she said.
Mathang-Tshabuse said Saleng’s difficulties had also been apparent during his loan spell with Orbit College FC, where he was sent to rebuild his confidence under coach Pogiso Makhoye.
The agent rejected the suggestion that the winger’s circumstances could be explained simply as misconduct or bad behaviour.
“I can see there’s an issue. I can see how it’s manifesting itself, but it is definitely greater than misbehaviour,” Mathang-Tshabuse explained.
“But it is more nuanced than that. It is deeper than that. It’s psychological.”
She said she had identified what she described as an issue related to Saleng’s psychological safety, adding that it had followed him through several stages of his career.
According to Mathang-Tshabuse, the problem first became evident during Saleng’s time at Orlando Pirates and later continued during his spell at Orbit College FC. She said it remained present even after he initially made a positive impression at Sundowns.
“It’s psychological. There’s a psychological safety issue that I have observed,” she said.
Mathang-Tshabuse made clear that she was not qualified to diagnose Saleng. She said, however, that she had attempted to help him find suitable support.
She also noted that mental-health assistance cannot simply be imposed on someone who is struggling, highlighting the difficulty of encouraging a person to accept help.
The agent was asked whether Saleng might be dealing with an alcohol problem. She said she was not aware of such an issue, although she had heard concerns raised by people close to the player.
Mathang-Tshabuse believes Sundowns have understood that Saleng’s problems run deeper than disciplinary matters and have allowed him time and space to recover.
There is currently no indication of when the winger might return to competitive football. His comeback remains uncertain while he works through what his agent described as a difficult psychological period.
Saleng joined Sundowns after leaving Orlando Pirates, but has not featured for the club this season following his removal from the first team.
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