But that decision now rests in the hands of sporting director Flemming Berg.

Speaking after Sundowns held Kaizer Chiefs to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their MTN8 semifinal at the weekend, Mokwena bemoaned a growing injury list that’s left his charges thin upfront.

WATCH! Highlights from Kaizer Chiefs vs Mamelodi Sundowns

"What has happened has caught us a little bit with our pants down and we've had some very good discussions internally with the football club and they know my feelings about this situation. What I've also done is I've given also my opinion publicly about the situation to say that I think we need one more [striker]," Mokwena said.

Mokwena has made recommendations, but whether Berg can identify a player with the same quality as attackers Thapelo Maseko, Peter Shalulile and Abubaker Nasir is the biggest challenge.

"That is now resting on the desk of the sporting director and the football club to see how we can and what we can do because you also need one more in a qualitative perspective and not just to add numbers," Mokwena explained.

"My only trust now really is to focus on the time we have during the FIFA break with the hard work of the medical department, the conditioning team and the staff that works with recuperating players."

Sundowns made five signings before the season kicked off in Bathusi Aubaas, Junior Mendieta, Lesiba Nku, Maseko and Lucas Costa.

The coach says this was based on their debrief from the previous campaign.

"We went into the off season and the analysis of our squad was that to go to the next level we needed five new players. Fortunately, through the support of the Motsepe family, the football club, we've got now five and we are extremely grateful for that really."

Lerato Gumbi

Articles By Lerato Gumbi

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