Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says he is going to need the strength of Mosa Lebusa and Tiyani Mabunda against Wydad Casablanca on Saturday.
The Brazilians have had to deal with a hectic fixture list in recent weeks, giving Mosimane a few difficult team selection decisions as he prepares his side for another CAF Champions League encounter in Algeria.
Sundowns’ Absa Premiership clash with Stellenbosch has already been postponed to help ease the fixture congestion, but they will still play three games in 10 days, including the Telkom Knockout final against Maritzburg United on 14 December.
“Thapelo Morena‚ we took him out [in the 82nd minute against Petro] because he felt the calf strain that he got [in Downs’ league win] against AmaZulu‚” said Mosimane, according to Sowetan Live.
“We have big games now. This is a serious thing now. Now we go to Algeria to play Casa‚ the [Telkom Knockout] final [against Maritzburg United]‚ then Wits [in the league].
“We need Denis‚ Thapelo and Themba back. We won’t have Gaston for local [suspended]‚ but we’ll have him for those.
“We need our soldiers back. Mosa Lebusa had a tight hamstring. Sometimes I’ll take a risk. I said‚ ‘No – out of this game’.
“Much better to have him in Casa than here. Make him rest. I need Mosa there. Because you know there are a lot of crosses‚ corners and free-kicks.
“It’s tough there. We need the big boys‚ we need the soldiers for that. Those are games are for Mosa‚ for [Tiyani] ‘Sugar’ Mabunda in the midfield.
“It’s not the game for passing and passing. I know my personnel for that match.”