Ex-Chiefs Keeper William Shongwe Hails Saleng’s Sundowns Switch And Questions Mabasa Loan Exit

Former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper William Shongwe expressed excitement for Monnapule Saleng’s move to Mamelodi Sundowns earlier this year, citing that the forward has a golden opportunity to reclaim his spot as one of the country’s top forwards. 

Shongwe also weighed in on Andre de Jong’s move to Orlando Pirates. 

Furthermore, the legend backed Kaizer Chiefs’ decision not to make a signing during the January transfer window.

Sundowns - Saleng

Monnapule Saleng’s fallout at Orlando Pirates has been widely documented. It got to a point where the forward joined newbies Orbit College on loan for the first half of the season, as he sought game time and perhaps redemption.

Earlier this year, Saleng was announced as a Mamelodi Sundowns player, a move that painted a vivid picture that coach Miguel Cardoso can foresee a future with him in it in Tshwane.

Thus far, Saleng has played two matches for the ‘Brazilians’, including Wednesday night’s 2-0 victory over Orbit College.

In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom, Shongwe expressed his excitement for Saleng, citing that it was a good move for the attacking player.

“What an opportunity, because I thought he was done with big-time football. But it's fantastic to see him getting an opportunity like that,”  Shongwe told SportsBoom.co.za.

“When a team signs a striker, they don't look for everything else that somebody else produces. They look for the one thing that you can bring into the team. Saleng playing as an inverted was always the best at Pirates, with his left foot obviously operating on the right side. You do get an out-and-out wide right attacking player." 

“So you need that variety, and it's not like he's going to play 90 minutes. You need to be able to change the formation of a club during the game to afford you certain opportunities as the game develops. So he is clever like that. He can offer that to Sundowns, and that definitely is something that will be of great value." 

“You see, when a team decides on a player, it's because they want something specific from him. So let's see how he fares. But having played for a big team like Pirates, it shouldn't be a big problem for him to fit into the Sundowns structure.”

Pirates - Mabasa out, De Jong

One of the biggest transfer news stories earlier this year was that of the reigning Golden Boot holder Tshegofatso Mabasa, who was sent on loan to Stellenbosch FC for the remainder of the 2025/26 season.

Mabasa’s contract with Pirates is set to expire in June 2026, effectively making him a free agent in waiting, with Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs closely monitoring his situation.

At Pirates, Mabasa did great things. Before he went on loan earlier this year, he was eight goals shy of breaking Benedict Vilakazi’s all-time club record of 58 goals. Because of his impact at Pirates, Shongwe was surprised that he was released. Shongwe also commented on Andre de Jong joining the Buccaneers.

“Mabasa's leaving was a bit of a surprise for me because I know they didn't really view him as a 90-minute type of player; they used to always bring him as an impact player, and he always made the difference, I thought. Because of his history, he came and injected intensity into the game like somebody who was hungry, and I think he was beginning to manage that,” Shongwe added. 

“So, his being released in a club, you always look for something different from the current striker. Pirates didn't have a striker who could hold the ball and also had strength. So, Mabasa was always the one looking for the ball to be played behind the defensive line so that he could run into it." 

“And I don't think Makgopa was strong enough to also play that role of playing with his back to goal. So, De Jong, though he's not an out-and-out No. 9, has qualities of a striker that can hold the ball in the box." 

“So, that is what maybe they were trying to be able to bring a little bit of variety into the attacking players. Look, he's a clever player. He's definitely a quality striker, that's for me. He knows how to make the entries, and he's got the timing." 

“But he's a finisher, and he's also good with his head. He is always able to meet the ball at the right time and height. So, that can be the only thing that I'll say. I still feel De Jong will play well." 

“I like what I saw when he was still at Stellis and when he was still at Amazulu. He definitely is a striker who gives defenders problems. He keeps them concerned. He keeps them worried. You want a striker that attracts attention, and he does that.”

Chiefs not signing

Kaizer Chiefs did not make a single signing during the January transfer window, a feat that shocked many and was ridiculed by many.

“Why would you rush to sign when you've still got players that were signed before the season started? One of those is (Ethan) Chislett, who hasn't even touched the ball this season. (Nkanyiso) Shinga is another who also had not touched the ball,” Shongwe told SportsBoom.co.za.

“So if you sign that much and then some of those players have not touched the ball since the beginning of the season, why do you rush to sign some more? So, my take was, why don't you look into what you signed and make a big decision? Maybe sometimes rushed decisions of this nature can be very costly.”