Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says his decision to bring on Monnapule Saleng late in the win over Marumo Gallants was a clear sign of the trust he has in the winger.

Saleng made his first appearance of the season when he replaced Antonio van Wyk in the final 10 minutes, as Sundowns beat Gallants 1-0 at Loftus Versfeld to reach the quarter-finals of the Carling Knockout Cup.

Cardoso explained that he could have chosen a more defensive-minded player to help close out the game, but he wanted to show Saleng that the club believes in him and is behind him.

The winger only recently returned to first-team training. He was left out early in the season for transgressions that Cardoso revealed, including not showing up to travel for the second leg of last season's CAF Champions League tie.

Speaking after the match, Cardoso said the club does not allow itself to exclude any person from the process. He said Saleng was given the opportunity to go over his faults, understand himself, show consistency, train at a good level and be aware of the things that needed to change.

The coach made it clear that Saleng will not get special treatment. He said the winger will be judged on his performances like every other player in the squad, and that if he becomes consistent he will get more chances, but if he slips up he will get fewer.

Cardoso admitted that in the moment it would have been easy to put on one player just to close the game. However, he still had the will to send Saleng on, and he described the decision as proof of trust and a little bit of energy. He wants the player to feel that the club is there for him whenever he needs it.

For Saleng, the appearance is an important first step in his comeback, and supporters will now watch closely to see whether he can use this chance to earn more minutes.

Sundowns now turn their attention to the Betway Premiership, where they host Durban City at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday evening.

Source: Soccer-Laduma