Monnapule Saleng warned against ‘big problem’ at Mamelodi Sundowns

Former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns star Innocent Mdledle has offered a stark warning to Monnapule Saleng, highlighting the significant challenges the winger will face after swapping the Buccaneers for the Brazilians.

Saleng‘s departure from Pirates was finalised after a difficult period that saw him fall out of favour, leading to a loan spell at Orbit College in the first half of the current season. Mamelodi Sundowns made headlines by securing the highly-rated winger on a permanent deal from their Soweto rivals in January.

Speaking to Soccer Laduma, Mdledle, who made a similar move in his career, cautioned Saleng that the environment at Chloorkop is a world away from what he was used to.

“I said before when he moved from Pirates to Orbit, that was a wrong move, but now that he is at Sundowns, I think it’s a great move,” Mdledle stated. “But he will have a problem, because you know at Sundowns there’s competition.”

Ex-Pirates star cautions Monnapule Saleng

“It won’t be the same as at Pirates. He was comfortable at Pirates, playing week in and week out, but at Sundowns, competition will be a problem. He won’t play every time.”

Reflecting on his own career, the former left-back explained the stark contrast between the two South African football giants. Mdledle admitted he regretted his 2009 transfer to Sundowns after four successful years with the Sea Robbers, citing the intense battle for places as a major factor.

“The difference is big. At Pirates, when I arrived, it was my first professional team, and I was playing regularly. But when you arrive at Sundowns, it’s different because you find players who have long been there,” he explained.

“You find the ‘bosses’ of the game at Sundowns, so it’s going to be totally different, even though I liked the professionalism of Sundowns.”

Did winger make mistake by joining Sundowns?

Mdledle advised Saleng to prioritise game time over financial incentives, warning that a lack of regular football can overshadow any monetary gain.

“I realised after that it was a bad move for me to move to Sundowns. As I say with Saleng, there is a lot of competition. At Sundowns, we go there because of money,” he confessed.

“But you have to focus on getting game time. Because if you’re playing week in and week out, things will come in their own time. It’s better where you’re playing regularly than getting money and not playing.

“You won’t be happy when you’re not playing; you won’t even enjoy that money,” the former Bafana Bafana international concluded.