Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso is concerned that his side’s preparations for their CAF Champions League encounter will be disrupted by the Nedbank Cup.
The Brazilians were scheduled to play Sekhukhune United in the domestic cup competition last week, but the game was postponed due to a double booking at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.
They are next in action against Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership on Sunday and face Esperance on April 1, leaving time in between to play their Nedbank Cup clash.
But Cardoso’s says an extra game will have an adverse effect on their Champions League ambitions.
The Downs boss explained in the Citizen: “It’s obviously not nice to imagine that we might play this match (against Sekhukhune) close to the Champions League match.
“Esperance play tomorrow and from then until the match against us, they will not play. That will allow them to avoid more injuries, recover their players 100% and compete in the Champions League at the highest level.
“Our expectations were that we will play against Pirates and then prepare for the Champions League match with the right context in order to arrive in the first and second match in the best condition possible. Let’s see what happens, I don’t have any idea which date the match will be played.”