Miguel Cardoso provides major Saleng fitness update

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has delivered a massive update on the fitness of marquee signing Monnapule Saleng, suggesting the pacy winger could make his Masandawana debut much sooner than originally feared.

The 27-year-old Bafana Bafana international completed a sensational cross-town switch from Orlando Pirates during the January window, but arrived at Chloorkop nursing a quad injury sustained during his loan spell at Orbit College FC.

Initial reports suggested Saleng would be sidelined for at least eight weeks, effectively ruling him out of the high-stakes clash against his former employers, Pirates, later this month. However, Cardoso has now “lifted the lid” on the situation, admitting his initial timeline was a tactical move to shield the player.

‘RECOVERING VERY POSITIVELY’ – SALENG

Speaking ahead of Sundowns’ Nedbank Cup Last 32 encounter against Gomora United, Cardoso revealed that Saleng’s rehabilitation has exceeded expectations.

“Saleng has recovered very positively. If you remember, when I spoke about Saleng, I spoke in a very negative approach—that probably we may have him out for two months,” Cardoso told the media.

“This is because I also wanted to take out some pressure from his recovery and from himself. I believe that it will probably not be necessary all that time for him to be training normally.”

Despite the optimistic outlook, Cardoso was quick to remind the Yellow Nation that the attacker will only be unleashed once he is both physically and tactically prepared to meet the demands of the Sundowns system.

Beyond the “quad strain” that hampered him since November, the technical team is focused on Saleng’s “tactical integration.” The coach emphasised that while the physical recovery is moving fast, the player must still “understand a few details on what we want from him” before hitting the pitch.

While the Gomora United match on Wednesday comes too soon for the former Free State Stars man, the updated timeline has fans circling the 1st of March on their calendars.

If his current trajectory continues, Saleng is widely expected to be ready for selection when the Brazilians lock horns with Sekhukhune United in the league. For now, the “major coup” remains in the hands of the Chloorkop medical department, with Cardoso ready to pull the trigger the moment his new star is cleared for takeoff.