After being sidelined early in the season, Teboho Mokoena and Khuliso Mudau could be facing exhaustion at Mamelodi Sundowns, as pressure mounts on head coach Manqoba Mngqithi.
Mokoena and Mudau played two back-to-back 90 minutes in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers for Bafana Bafana against Uganda and South Sudan.
With pressure on Sundowns, the Bafana duo, along with teammates of the likes of Aubrey Modiba, Bathusi Aubaas, Iqraam Rayners and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, had no rest after a 3-0 win over South Sudan four days before the final.
Although Modiba, Aubaas and Rayners were rested three days after Carling Knockout defeat to Magesi, Mudau, Mokwena and Williams had to soldier on again in the starting line-up in the CAF Champions League group opening game against Maniema Union on Tuesday as the Tshwane giants had a disappointing goalless draw.
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However, former Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana says as a playee, you cannot complain about not being fresh.
"I'll tell you what, in my career I was never fresh because of the matches I played and I came to terms with that I have to play so many matches, because I'm that player that showed them that they can trust me," Kekana said on The Pitchside Podcast.
"And when you're in that position, it's no longer about you. You have the responsibility to deliver to the team. When you step into the pitch it's no longer about what I do best, it's what the team requires.
"I already knew when my guys see me, they get comfort that, that guy is there, he will do 1, 2, 3. I will make sure I do all the things they expect me to do, especially the dirty side of the game, which some of the boys were not brave to do. It was a nice feeling to know that during the season, my struggles became their success," Kekana added.
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Mngqithi could have a window to finally rest Mokoena, Mudau and perhaps Williams against Sekhukhune United in the Betway Premiership on Saturday.
As Masandawana will travel to Morocco afterwards ahead of a CAF Champions League second group encounter against AS FAR Rabat next weekend.
