Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: ‘Bad boy’ Saleng forgiven, Rayners equals Chiefs legend & more

Latest Mamelodi Sundowns news, including the situation of Monnapule Saleng at the club and Iqraam Rayners moving level on goals with a Kaizer Chiefs great.

Cardoso makes Saleng admission at Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has confirmed Monnapule Saleng’s return to the squad having been frozen out since the season started.

Lebo Mothiba, Monnapule Saleng, Grant kekana and Teboho Mokoena – Image: Sundowns

Cardoso revealed in August that Saleng was dropped from the squad and the team’s pre-season plans after poor behaviour and had been training alone.

However, last week, he was pictured in training with the rest of the team and Cardoso has now revealed that all is forgiven and forgotten.

“Look, in the same way I spoke about Saleng when I last spoke about him, we as a club, me, the Sport Director, the players, the captains and the chairman, we decided to give ourselves and Saleng an opportunity to move forward in a positive way,” said Cardoso told iDiski Times.

Mamelodi Sundowns players Thapelo Morena, Monnapule Saleng and Lebo Mothiba. Photo: Mamelodi Sundowns

“Saleng trained during a period alone and he trained quite consistently and with respect of the values that we need to have inside a professional team. And since he joined the team, he has kept that path. So we are happy that he shows consistency on training.”

Cardoso has opened the door for Saleng’s comeback although he cannot guarantee the ex-Orlando Pirates star gametime amid tough competition for places.

“Obviously his time will appear in a certain moment, I’m pretty sure. When it will be? I don’t know. Obviously that you also understand, I’ve been stating that, in this year, this season, we have more options in the front than we had in the past,” he added.

Monnapule Saleng of Mamelodi Sundowns trainning . — Monnapule Saleng of Mamelodi Sundowns trainning. Image: Mamelodi Sundowns

“You see, Arthur [Sales] is not here, Lebo Mothiba was here, but he’s not even on the bench even. We have [Monnapule] Saleng, Tsiki [Ntsabeleng]. So, there are other players that also were not here today.

“They have to, between commas, fight between themselves to get a position. He will appear, I’m pretty sure he will appear. And it’s a player that we trust. When I mean trust, we are trying to create a positive relation between the parts so that I can trust him and he can trust me, we can trust each other.”

Rayners equals record of Kaizer Chiefs legend

Meanwhile, Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners has moved level with Kaizer Chiefs legends on the list of PSL all-time scorers.

Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners. Image: Imago

Rayners scored twice as Sundowns thrashed Richards Bay 4-1 in the league on Tuesday, taking his overall tally in the South African top flight to 86, and same as Chiefs great Bernard Parker.

The former Stellenbosch FC striker will now be looking to overtake Katlego ‘Mahoota’ Mashego (88), Wilfred Mugeyi and Lehlohonolo Majoro (both on 91), and Khama Billiat (97).

However, Rayners has a long way to go before he can catch up with the centurions with Sundowns legend Peter Shalulile the all-time top scorer with 134 goals.

Others are; Bradley Grobler (130), Siyabonga Nomvethe (129), Daniel Mudau (110), Mabhudi Khenyeza (110), Manuel Bucuane (104) and Collins Mbesuma (103).