Saleng breaks silence on shock Sundowns switch

Mamelodi Sundowns’ latest marquee signing, Monnapule Saleng, has hit back at social media detractors, insisting that mental fortitude was key to his sensational return to the pinnacle of South African football.

The 27-year-old winger recently completed a headline-grabbing move to Chloorkop, a transfer that raised eyebrows across the fraternity. Saleng had spent the first half of the 2025/26 campaign in the Motsepe Foundation Championship with Orbit College FC, having been sent there on loan by Orlando Pirates before the Brazilians swooped in to secure his signature permanently.

Speaking on The Pitchside Podcast, the former Buccaneers star addressed the backlash and criticism that followed his dip in form and subsequent move to the second tier.

Saleng On Fighting the Social Media Noise

“People analyse my games differently. When they criticise me, I must be mentally strong and not allow negative comments to derail me,” Saleng told the podcast.

Despite being written off by some sections of the fans during his time away from the top flight, Saleng insists his passion for the game never wavered.

“Despite the criticism, I never thought of quitting football because of people’s negative comments. I believe it’s because they see my game differently, and there’s nothing I can do about it.”

The Battle for a Starting Berth

Saleng joins a Sundowns side currently embroiled in a heated title race. The Brazilians sit second in the Betway Premiership standings with 26 points, trailing his former employers, Orlando Pirates, by just two points.

While Chloorkop is notorious for its “star-studded” bench, Saleng is unfazed by the looming battle for minutes against the likes of Tashreeq Matthews and Siyabonga Mabena.

“I love competition because it determines your level,” Saleng asserted. “At big teams, competition will always be there. At Pirates, there was competition; I had to wait for my chance and I got it.”

He was quick to add that his reputation alone won’t earn him a spot in Miguel Cardoso’s starting XI: “I must work hard for the coach to select me. Just because I come from Pirates, my place is not guaranteed. I have to push myself to make it onto the matchday list.”

With Thapelo Maseko reportedly closing in on a move to Cypriot side AEL Limassol, the door is wide open for Saleng to reclaim his status as the league’s most dangerous winger—this time in the yellow and blue of Sundowns.