{
  "id": 2300395,
  "title": "Monnapule Saleng kept going AWOL despite Mamelodi Sundowns' 'love and support'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/monnapule-saleng-kept-going-awol-despite-mamelodi-sundowns-love-and",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-21T04:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/sport/soccer/psl/2026-08-21-monnapule-saleng-kept-going-awol-despite-mamelodi-sundowns-love-and-support/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso revealed that the club made a concerted effort to integrate troubled attacker Monnapule Saleng into the team despite Saleng's repeated disciplinary issues. Saleng, who had previously faced similar problems at Orlando Pirates and Orbit College, was reportedly isolated from the squad due to his ill-discipline. The news of his continued absence from matchday squads shocked the football community, as Saleng's move to Sundowns was anticipated to provide him with a much-needed career opportunity. Cardoso shared that Saleng often failed to show up on game days, sometimes being the last to arrive and the first to leave. This lack of commitment made it challenging for the coaching staff to support Saleng's development. Despite these setbacks, the club maintained a supportive attitude towards Saleng. Cardoso expressed that his team continued to offer him love and inclusion, even after multiple breaches of team protocols. He added that he personally tried to help the player feel part of the family, but ultimately, it was up to Saleng to demonstrate a desire to be integrated.",
  "summary": "Following revelations of ill-discipline and squad isolation, Miguel Cardoso reveals the full extent of Monnapule Saleng's protocol breaches at Mamelodi Sundowns.",
  "key_points": [
    "Mamelodi Sundowns tried to integrate Monnapule Saleng despite disciplinary issues.",
    "Saleng frequently missed matchday squads due to his ill-discipline.",
    "Coach Miguel Cardoso maintained supportive attitude towards Saleng."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Mamelodi Sundowns' persistent efforts to support Monnapule Saleng despite his disciplinary issues ultimately highlight the limits of a team's enabling approach in fostering player commitment and responsibility.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}