Saleng’s agent breaks silence on player’s struggles
Monnapule Saleng’s agent, Karabo Mathang-Tshabuse, has revealed that the Mamelodi Sundowns star’s struggles may be deeper than disciplinary issues.
Mathang-Tshabuse says Saleng has been going through a difficult period and believes there is a psychological and welfare issue that needs proper support. The agent was speaking about the player’s struggles at Pirates and during his loan spell at Orbit College.
She stressed that she is not a medical professional and cannot diagnose Saleng, but said she has observed behaviour that suggests something deeper is happening. “It is more nuanced than that. It is deeper than that, it is psychological. And I think there is a welfare issue which I can’t put my finger on,” she said in an interview with Metro FM.
Mathang-Tshabuse said Saleng’s situation should not simply be labelled as misconduct or misbehaviour. She believes the player needs professional help and said she has tried to make support available to him. “You cannot force someone, you can only advise and set up the help. But if they do not have the capacity to appreciate what is going on, they do not have the capacity to take on the medical help,” she said.
She also revealed that the concerns have been raised with Saleng’s family and the clubs he has been involved with. Mathang-Tshabuse further said she was not aware of an alcohol abuse problem involving Saleng, although she had heard people around him make such claims.
Her comments come amid continued questions about Saleng’s future and his struggles to maintain consistency as a professional footballer.
“I have sked him what is the issue and I have come to the conclusion that there is a psychological issue. Whether that is then exacerbated by other things… that might be the case but that is symptomatic than a cause that needs to be addressed.”
