The admission by Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso that Saleng was training on his own after repeated infringements of team protocol likely ends his stay at Chloorkop.
We have to hear the players’ side of the story, but it seems to be a repeat of his long spell on the sidelines at Orlando Pirates before a loan move to Orbit College last season.“Saleng consecutively broke the rules and the values of the locker room and of the club. For some time already, he hasn’t been training with the team,” Cardoso said. “Just for you to understand, Saleng was on the list for the second leg of the CAF Champions League final. And he didn’t appear (arrive).
“Saleng was on the list to come to the pre-season camp and he didn’t appear or he say he would not go. It’s impossible for us to keep stability with a player that we gave so much love to even after systematic mistakes.
“He is not willing to take the path that the team in this level is willing to have. The club has decided to put Saleng separate from the group, and he is not working with us now.”
That is all pretty damning and maybe the worst thing is that given his past, not all that surprising.
There is a saying though that there is your version of the story, my version of the story and the truth lies somewhere in between. The best thing that can happen now is that Saleng’s agent releases a statement clarifying the situation.
Because silence after such a summary from his coach only feeds the narrative that has been presented.
Saleng’s move to Sundowns for the second half of the campaign was a little odd given he is predominantly a left-winger, not a position the team were lacking. And his replacement has basically been signed in Antonio can Wyk, who netted on debut against Polokwane City on Saturday.
The reality is that Saleng has made 14 starts in the Betway Premiership in the last two years.
Whatever the true issues at Pirates previously dragged on until he was offered a life-line by Sundowns, which he appears to have cut, rather than grabbed hold of.
Who does not pitch up for the second leg of the Champions League final with the chance to earn a medal in that competition, whether you play or not?
It perhaps shows where his priorities lie and for now that looks as though it is away from football.