Saleng’s Crisis is Mental, Not Behavioral Says Agent
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Monnapule Saleng’s struggles at Mamelodi Sundowns have been described as being about more than alleged misconduct, with his agent Karabo Mathang Tshabuse revealing that she has raised concerns about the player’s psychological well-being and sought professional help.
Saleng’s situation has become increasingly concerning after Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso confirmed that the winger had been training in isolation following what he described as consecutive violations of the club’s rules.
However, speaking on Sports Night Amplified with Andile on Metro FM, Mathang Tshabuse offered a different perspective, insisting that the issues surrounding her client should not simply be viewed as bad behaviour.
The agent, while stressing that she was not qualified to diagnose Saleng, said she had identified what she described as a long-standing psychological safety and welfare concern.
“I’m not a medical doctor. I can see there’s an issue, I can see how it’s manifesting itself, but it is definitely greater than misbehaviour,” Mathang Tshabuse said.
She explained that the difficulties had not started at Sundowns and had previously manifested during Saleng’s time at Orlando Pirates and his loan spell at Orbit College.
According to the agent, the decision to send Saleng out on loan was partly intended to give him a different environment and allow him to work with Orbit coach Pogiso Makhoye, who had played an important role in the winger’s development.
“He is travelling a very difficult path,” she said, adding that she could see an issue but was not in a position to determine exactly what it was.
The agent went on to describe what she believed could be a fight-or-flight response during periods of distress, saying the issue had been evident across different environments.
She also revealed that she had attempted to secure professional assistance for Saleng.
“What I can do is I can call for help, I can cry for help, I can walk with my client for that help, but it is up to him to say, let’s take it.”
Mathang Tshabuse confirmed that she had contacted mental health professionals and attempted to facilitate assistance, but pointed to one of the difficulties surrounding mental wellbeing: a person cannot simply be forced to accept help.
“We’ve raised it on all angles with all the clubs,” she said, reiterating her belief that there was a psychological safety issue.
The agent was also asked about rumours concerning alcohol use.
She said she was not aware of alcohol abuse herself, although she had heard such claims from people around the player.
Mathang Tshabuse revealed that she had previously travelled to Bloemfontein, where she met with Saleng and his parents to try to understand what was happening. She stressed, however, that she did not want to breach the confidentiality surrounding her client.
“I have, on more than one occasion, gone to Bloemfontein, sat down with parents, sat down with him, asked him, you know, what is the issue, and I have come to the conclusion and the observation that there is a psychological safety issue.”
Importantly, the agent did not identify alcohol as the cause of Saleng’s difficulties. Instead, she suggested that if such behaviour was present, it could be symptomatic of a deeper problem.
“There’s a deeper issue that I think we all need to address.”
The comments provide additional context to a difficult period in the career of a player who was once regarded as one of the country’s most exciting attacking talents.
Saleng joined Sundowns from Orlando Pirates in January 2025 but has struggled for regular involvement at Chloorkop. According to the supplied information, he has made just eight appearances for the club and was not part of the squad when Sundowns lifted the CAF Champions League trophy.
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