Monnapule Saleng’s former coach at Moroka Swallows, Dylan Kerr, has broken down what he believes the highly-rated winger will add to Mamelodi Sundowns following his high-profile move ahead of the 2025/26 season resumption.
The Brazilians made a surprise move on the 27-year-old, luring him to Chloorkop from Orlando Pirates who had loaned him out to Orbit College. During his six-month spell with Mswenko Boys, it appeared as if Saleng’s career was on a downward slope, but Sundowns came through to hand him a lifeline.
This was also after he endured a difficult period in the second half of last season when the Buccaneers froze him out from competitive action. He is now at Masandawana who boast of a star-studded squad, presenting him with a huge challenge to turn himself into a regular.
It is a move that could make Saleng dream of muscling his way into the Bafana Bafana fold ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But that depends on how he performs for the rest of the current term.
WHAT WILL SALENG GIVE SUNDOWNS? KERR EXPLAINS
Ex-Marumo Gallants coach Kerr has also expressed disbelief at how Pirates could afford to have a player of Monnapule Saleng’s quality slip through their hands.
“The surprising one [Sundowns signing] was Saleng and I’ll tell you what, he will do absolutely fantastic at Sundowns. He is just the right type of player that Sundowns need because he has got energy,” Kerr told FARPost.
“I can’t believe Pirates let him go to Orbit, that was very strange. What you get from Saleng and what I instilled in him as a player at Swallows is that when he has got the ball, he is going to be a nuisance, a pest.
“But when he hasn’t got the ball, he will be in a position where he can get onto the ball. So he was a great signing as far as I’m concerned.”
SUNDOWNS QUESTIONED ABOUT SIGNING LEON
Kerr is not entirely convinced after witnessing Masandawana bringing in striker Brayan Leon from Colombian side Independiente Medellin. This is despite the 25-year-old managing 13 league goals and nine assists in 40 appearances during the 2025 season.
“I’m a bit sceptical when they bring South Americans over. Sometimes they are a hit, sometimes they are a miss, more often a miss,” Kerr said.
“South Americans coming into this country find a different type of football. Yes, it’s technically better in Brazil, but at the same time in South Africa, PSL players are a bit more aggressive, they are hard in mentality.
“Only time will tell if he can score the goals. If [Khuliso] Mudau can get into a good habit of crossing the balls instead of running and passing the ball, instead of shooting when he is in good areas, then he could set him maybe one or two goals a game.
“Other players at Sundowns should also provide him with ammunition for him to score.”
RELATED STORY: Sundowns announce blockbuster move for Monnapule Saleng