Sundowns Hold Their Breath as Saleng Update Looms Ahead of Pirates Clash

Mamelodi Sundowns could be forced to leave Monnapule Saleng out of their squad for Saturday’s highly anticipated MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates, despite the winger recently returning to first-team training.

Saleng’s return to training had raised hopes among Sundowns supporters that he could feature against his former club at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. However, reports suggest that the 28-year-old might not be ready for competitive action because he lacks match fitness.

According to reports published on Friday, the MTN8 final could come too soon for the talented winger, who has yet to make a competitive appearance for Sundowns this season. There were also reports that he was not part of the travelling group that left for KwaZulu-Natal ahead of the crucial encounter.

Saleng was recently spotted training with the Sundowns first team during the club’s media activities, offering encouragement to fans who have been eagerly anticipating his return to action. Nevertheless, participating in training does not necessarily mean a player is ready to compete at the highest level.

His situation has attracted considerable attention following previous comments from Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, who confirmed that disciplinary issues had affected the winger’s involvement with the senior team. His return to training suggests that progress has been made, although questions remain about his immediate future on the pitch.

The uncertainty surrounding Saleng is particularly intriguing because of his history in the MTN8 with Orlando Pirates. During his time with the Buccaneers, he established himself as one of the competition’s most influential players.

The winger played an important role in Pirates’ successful MTN8 campaigns, famously scoring the winning goal in the 2022 final against AmaZulu. His ability to deliver in high-pressure matches made him a key figure during his spell at the Soweto giants.

Consequently, a possible appearance against Pirates would have added another fascinating storyline to Saturday’s final. However, Sundowns may be unwilling to risk rushing him back before he has regained full match fitness.

The Brazilians are determined to lift another MTN8 trophy, while Pirates will be looking to defend their title and maintain their impressive record in the competition.

The final is scheduled for Saturday, 10 October, at 18:00 at Moses Mabhida Stadium. The Premier Soccer League has confirmed that tickets for the highly anticipated showdown are sold out.

For now, Saleng’s availability remains uncertain, with supporters waiting for confirmation of Sundowns’ final matchday squad. Although his return to training represents a positive development, whether he will be ready to face his former teammates remains a major talking point ahead of the final.

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