Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso said the club gave Monnapule Saleng a fair chance to return. The winger played his first match of the season for the club.
Saleng came on as a late substitute in a 1-0 win over Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout Cup. He replaced Antonio van Wyk for the last few minutes of the game.
“We don’t allow ourselves to exclude a person, a human being out of the process. Obviously, we need to understand how to relate with everything that happens, but we don’t exclude no one and I think that’s the opportunity we gave to Saleng, for him to go over his faults and understand himself and show consistency and train systematically in a good level and be aware of the things that were important to change,” Cardoso told the media.
Saleng had been left out of the team after disciplinary issues earlier in the campaign, Goal reported. His return to the field marked a big step for the player.
According to Goal, the winger worked on his fitness and tactical discipline in training before the Gallants match. This helped him make peace with the club’s management.
Cardoso said he chose to bring Saleng on in a close game on purpose. He said it was meant to show the player that the club believes in him.
“He made his effort and he will have his chances according to performances. That will be evaluated like all the other players. If he becomes consistent, he will have more chances,” Cardoso said after the match.
“I think today, we wanted to show him that we trust him and give him the energy to enter on the match,” the coach added.
The coach also spoke about the risk he took with the change. He said it would have been easier to bring on a player to help close out the game.
“I still had the will to say ‘go there’. It’s a proof of trust and a little bit of energy also to feel that we are here for him when he needs,” Cardoso told the press.
Siyanda Ndlovu scored the only goal of the match. His strike sent Sundowns through to the quarterfinals of the Carling Knockout Cup.
Cardoso said Saleng will be judged in the same way as every other player in the squad. More game time will depend on how consistent he is.
The quarterfinal draw will take place after the remaining last-16 matches are played, Goal reported.
Source: this article is based on reporting by Goal.com. Image: Goal.com. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.