{
  "id": 361071,
  "title": "Cardoso explains Saleng’s Sundowns exile after disciplinary breach",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/cardoso-explains-salengs-sundowns-exile-after-disciplinary-breach",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-09T07:36:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/local-soccer/cardoso-explains-salengs-sundowns-exile-after-disciplinary-breach/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has shed light on why Monnapule Saleng has been training separately from his team following a disciplinary breach. Saleng, formerly of Orlando Pirates, was notably absent from Sundowns' pre-season tour in Austria, prompting speculation about his future at Chloorkop. After Sundowns' thrilling 3-2 extra-time win against Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-final, Cardoso revealed Saleng's separation from the squad due to rule violations and breaches of locker room values. Saleng, 28, last played for Sundowns in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final against AS FAR in May, coming on as a substitute. Despite being on the list for the second leg, he did not report for the camp as required. This situation echoes Saleng's past issues at Pirates, where he was eventually cut from the first team. His move to Sundowns in January was spurred by a successful loan spell at Orbit College last season. However, his recent disciplinary issues have led to his exclusion from the team. Cardoso emphasized that Sundowns cannot maintain stability with a player who has made systematic mistakes and is unwilling to follow the team's path. With the new season approaching, Saleng's immediate future at Sundowns appears uncertain as the club maintains a firm stance.",
  "summary": "\"Cardoso explains Saleng's Sundowns exile after disciplinary breach,\" Cardoso said.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "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."
}