Monnapule Saleng made a cmaeo in the Mamelodi Sundowns' Carling Knockout round of 16 win on Tuesday night after making the matchday squad for the first time in six months.

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Monnapule Saleng has been given a lifeline at Mamelodi Sundowns following personal battles that kept him out of the team, but the onus is now on him to cement his place in the match-day squad moving forward.

Saleng did not only return to the squad for Sundowns’ 1-0 win over Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout round of 16 for the first time in six months, but he also made a cameo appearance. His introduction by coach Miguel Cardoso demonstrated that he remains very much part of the team's plans.

Over the past few months, his future appeared uncertain after personal challenges led to him training away from the senior squad. Cardoso previously confirmed that his exclusion was a broader club decision rather than a purely tactical choice.

Saleng’s return has been welcomed across the football fraternity, with supporters and neutrals recognising him as one of the most talented players in the local game who deserves support during difficult periods.

Cardoso stated that the club will continue to support Saleng, but emphasised that the attacker must show the desire to be part of the team by adhering to the club’s values and principles.

“First of all, I always tell you – these are the values I found at this club, which I share and multiply with my players,” said Cardoso amid Saleng's return.

“We understand how to relate to everything that has happened. But we don’t exclude anyone, and that’s the opportunity we gave Saleng: for him to go through the process of finding himself, show consistency at training, and be aware of some of the things that he needed to change.

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“He will get his chance according to his output at training and on the pitch. We’ll evaluate him like any other player. If he remains consistent, then he’ll have more opportunities. If he drops, then he’ll have fewer chances.”

Cardoso’s decision to bring Saleng on against Gallants signaled strong faith in the player. With pressure remaining high on the Portuguese coach following Sundowns' early CAF Champions League exit, every substitution counts. Using one of his slots on Saleng served as a clear vote of confidence.

“I think today, we really wanted to show that we trust him in a moment where it would have been easy for me to put in a player to close the game out, but I still wanted to say, 'go out there,' and that was proof of trust,” Cardoso said. “We wanted him to understand that we are here for him when he needs us.”