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| Pitso Mosimane has urged SAFA to rest his players for the international break. (Picture: Backpagepix) |
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane has urged the South African Football Association to rest his players ahead of the CAF Champions League final.
Four Brazilians have been called up to report for international duty with Bafana Bafana after their 3-0 loss to Bidvest Wits in the MTN 8 final, during which many of the Downs’ players looked lethargic due to the fatigue.
However, it needs to be observed that Mosimane’s previous calls for his players to be rested have been ignored with South Africa head coach Shakes Mashaba fielding his star players in a dead rubber African Cup of Nations clash against Mauritania just last month.
South Africa begin their World Cup qualifiers this weekend with a highly-anticipated encounter against Burkino Faso – as midfielders Keagan Dolly, Hlompho Kekana and defender Tebogo Langerman look likely to feature.
“I will try and rest those who are not called-up as much as we can because you know we have been playing football continuously for the past 15 months,” Mosimane told reporters.
“We will try to get as much rest as possible. But now there’s international matches coming up and there are those traveling to Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso.
“You’ve got to understand my players are going there and then have to come back … it’s World Cup qualifiers and I expect them to be part of it and help the country go to the World Cup.
“There’s no excuse in that and they must be on the flight, but I don’t know about the friendly [against Ghana].
“In three days’ time I have a game, the Champions League final, but last time we tried SAFA, we didn’t address it well … but we will send a letter again to say ‘do it the right way’.
“I don’t know if they have to be part of this friendly game against Ghana, but it’s not my call. I have to respect them.”