Mamelodi Sundowns have made their title intentions clear by completing the signing of Orlando Pirates star Monnapule Saleng, who had been on loan at newly promoted Orbit College.
“Masandawana is proud to welcome midfielder Monnapule Saleng to the club,” Sundowns wrote in an Instagram post announcing the signing on Friday evening.
The 27-year-old Saleng made a name for himself playing for Jose Riveiro’s Orlando Pirates, and played a key role as the club won back-to-back domestic doubles. However, there was intense speculation about his future after he fell out of favour last season.
Some of his struggles were attributed to mental health, and he was loaned out to Orbit College – where he started his career – at the beginning of the current campaign. His time with the newly promoted club was not a happy one, and his commitment was questioned by head coach Pogiso Makhoye.
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“I don’t think he’s giving us what we expected from him as a big-name player,” Makhoye told Metro FM’s Andile Ncube on Sports Night Amplified in September.
“These are the things we need to sit down and assess as a team. Is he really influencing our performances? Do we look better with him in the side, or are we stronger without him?”
And after former Kaizer Chiefs star Thuso Phala questioned his respect for the game, Saleng roared back to form in October, scoring two goals and laying on three assists as continued to battle bravely against relegation.
That form has seemingly reminded Sundowns, who are involved in an intense title battle with Orlando Pirates, to lure him to Chloorkop for the second half of the season.
For Saleng, the move represents a fresh start. For Sundowns, it is a statement signing that strengthens their attacking options, and also strikes a psychological blow in a fierce title race against their closest rivals. If Saleng can rediscover the form that once made him one of the league’s most feared attackers, this transfer could prove decisive in the battle for supremacy in the Betway Premiership.
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