Mamelodi Sundowns face Bafana Bafana players conundrum as Orlando Pirates await

The Brazilians had nine members in the national team squad that returned with a bronze medal at the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire last week.

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SABC Sport understands coach Rulani Mokwena contemplated giving those who featured in all seven matches time off, with midfielder Teboho Mokoena already in Mauritius.

Downs mentor Mokwena did speak of the challenges of managing the load on these players who have been away for more than a month.

 ''With the Bafana players we've got a couple of concerns, seeing a few players returning with injuries - it may delay their return. Players play about 30 games in 5 months for Sundowns and add an extra 5 games for the world cup qualifiers, so you're talking about close to 35 to 40 games in 5 months,'' said Mokwena.

Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, defenders Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Mothobi Mvala, midfielders Mokoena and Themba Zwane were used by Bafana coach Hugo Broos in all of their games.

 The other three – Grant Kekana, Thapelo Morena and Thapelo Maseko – didn’t put on as much mileage, with the latter suffering what looked to be a long-term injury in the quarterfinals against Cape Verde.

The situation requires the medical team’s expertise, Mokwena said.

''It's a wear and care, if it's your car - and you need to drive more kilometers, we're going to have to change the fuse, refresh the tires, the oil, put the petrol and the battery needs to be recharged. We've got some concerns with Mothobi, Maseko, Moshishi, Tebogo and Mudau, they now have to start with the rehabilitation phase,'' added Mokwena.

The Sundowns mentor also wants to work on the mental state of the players who were at AFCON, while also revealing Williams might not be fully fit to face Pirates.

"They have to flush out the stress and pressures of a tournament of that magnitude. Psychologically there needs to be some work done and some refreshing of the mind. We also have some concerns with Ronwen Williams with the shoulder, but we will see,'' he concluded.

With these developments, the coach might have to rely on his new signings from the January transfer window. But attackers Tashreeq Matthews and Matias Esquivel probably need more time to adapt, while right back Zuko Mdunyelwa and midfielder Thembinkosi Lorch are likely to play a part against Pirates.