Mamelodi Sundowns have announced that they have just completed the signing of Monnapule Saleng from Orlando Pirates.
Image: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
There is something sinister about Mamelodi Sundowns’ acquisition of Orlando Pirates winger Monnapule Saleng, whose recent form has been underwhelming.
The move, seemingly out of character for an elite club like Mamelodi Sundowns with championship ambitions, has prompted questions about its motives.
Understandably, the news has sent shockwaves through the football community, as fans and analysts alike grappled with a move that seems at odds with the club’s championship aspirations. The decision has raised significant questions about the overarching strategy of Sundowns’ recruitment team.
Saleng’s first half of the 2025/26 season saw him decline on loan at Orbit College, where he scored only twice and provided three assists in 12 matches.
Given the prevailing circumstances at a struggling Premiership side, many now find it difficult to reconcile his fit within a dominating unit like Sundowns. Once considered among the elite talents of the Premier Soccer League, Saleng’s recent lacklustre performances paint a stark contrast to the kind of player Sundowns typically pursue. Saleng’s fit within Sundowns’ star-studded squad is a concern, amplified by the club’s impressive line-up, which already features multiple national-level talents.
The competition for places at Sundowns is fierce, prompting speculation about how Saleng will carve out a niche amid a plethora of strong options.
This scrutiny is not unfounded; history shows that several players have joined Sundowns with high expectations, only to falter. Fawaaz Basadien and Jayden Adams serve as salient examples for Saleng, both of whom struggled to make an impact after high-profile transfers—an unsettling precedent as Saleng embarks on his new chapter.
Coach Miguel Cardoso has acknowledged the challenges new signings face in securing regular game time, making Saleng’s prospects increasingly daunting. As fans and pundits alike have voiced, a key question remains: was this signing merely a gamble or a calculated move by Sundowns’ Sporting Director, Flemming Berg, who has a clear vision for the club?
The circumstances surrounding Saleng’s transfer are also notable in the context of the rivalry between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Historically, it is unusual for Pirates to part ways with a player directly to their chief rivals unless the perceived value has diminished. This revelation raises questions about whether Saleng’s abilities are underestimated or if the reasons for his acquisition are more complicated than initially thought.
This signing period echoes Thembinkosi Lorch’s transfer from Pirates to Sundowns, which initially appeared promising but ultimately proved disappointing as Lorch struggled to establish himself under coach Rulani Mokwena, eventually leading to a loan stint at Wydad AC.
Notably, there appears to be no such motivation for Saleng’s cause within the current management structure, raising the possibility that chairman Thlopie Motsepe played a pivotal role in pushing for this signing. As the bossman, he does not have to give reasons.
With a lack of a solid track record and a daunting roster to contend with, only time will reveal whether Saleng’s leap to Sundowns will be a transformative moment in his career or merely another chapter of unrealised potential.