Eyebrows were raised when Mamelodi Sundowns signed Orlando Pirates winger Monnapule Saleng, but it is all part of the plan at Chloorkop, writes Mazola Molefe.

To some, the surprise signing of Monnapule Saleng by Mamelodi Sundowns from rivals Orlando Pirates may be viewed as a power play, another flex from a club already dominant in South African football.

But according to coach Miguel Cardoso, the move is far more calculated than symbolic, a tactical decision aimed at strengthening attacking options as the Brazilians chase a ninth consecutive Betway Premiership title.

Context makes the transfer even more startling. Saleng began the season on loan at newly promoted Orbit College after falling out of favour at Pirates, and a January switch to Chloorkop seemed highly improbable.

Yet football has a habit of tearing up scripts and Sundowns have never shied away from rewriting the market. “He is an international player for South Africa, a qualified player,” Cardoso said, offering clarity on the thinking behind the deal.

“I remember coach José Riveiro speaking about Saleng at a moment when he was starting to struggle at Pirates in terms of playing or not playing and being separated from the group.

“I don’t need to speak about his quality. You know the quality the boy has. I will not speak about what happened with Pirates because that has nothing to do with me. What is important is that we wanted to sign a winger.”

On paper, Saleng certainly adds pedigree. But a closer look at Sundowns’ squad suggests his arrival may be more of a luxury than a necessity.

The club already boasts an abundance of attacking talent in wide areas, raising questions about how much value an additional winger realistically brings.

The move inevitably draws comparisons with the signing of Thembinkosi Lorch from Pirates in January 2024.

At the time, it was hailed as a major coup, but it later became evident that Sundowns could afford to sideline a player of Lorch’s calibre, literally, as competition for places intensified.

Cardoso, however, rejected the notion that Saleng’s arrival is surplus to requirements. Check out this stunning hat-trick by Monnapule Saleng for Orlando Pirates against Moroka Swallows!

“We wanted to sign a quick player, an aggressive player, a quality player, someone who can bring something different from what we already have,” he explained.

Is that justification enough? “If you compare, for example, the profile of a Nuno [Santos] with Saleng, it is a completely different profile of players,” Cardoso continued.

“But it’s important that the coach has different tools to manage different moments of the game, different opponents and different characteristics of matches.”

“The decision to bring Saleng was a sporting decision from the club, one that I obviously shared. We have expectations for the future, but we also have patience.”

That patience may be tested early. Saleng arrived at Chloorkop nursing an injury, with initial assessments ruling him out for at least six weeks, possibly longer.

His integration into the squad will therefore be gradual, offering Cardoso time to evaluate where, and if, he fits into an already well-oiled machine.

At his best, Saleng is electric, confident, direct and fearless, a fully fit and firing version of the winger is capable of turning matches on their head.

But football history is littered with talented players who struggled to assert themselves in squads overflowing with quality.