Orlando Pirates are facing the risk of burnout after taking a risk that nearly cost them points in their opening Betway Premiership encounter against Chippa United.
Unlike in the previous seasons in the CAF Champions League, Pirates secured a 2-0 win against Jwaneng Galaxy in the second preliminary round, first-leg away.
The Buccaneers head coach Jose Riveiro, four days later, in the Betway Premiership opener against Chippa, surprisingly kept the same line-up that did duty against Galaxy and the Soweto giants almost dropped two points after a sluggish first-half and they required a stoppage time winner by Monnapule Saleng to win 2-1.
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In hindsight, Riveiro could point out that Mamelodi Sundowns made the same decision and were also vindicated after making only one enforced change in their league opener against SuperSport United, compared to their previous CAF Champions League second preliminary, first-leg clash against Mbabane Swallows, where they won emphatically, 4-0.
However, Pirates have played the joint-most number of games already this season, seven games in just under six weeks, after taking part in the CAF Champions League first preliminary round and played all the MTN8 games after booking their spot in the final.
What will be the biggest test for the Soweto giants would be their squad depth in the league title race, as Sundowns could afford to keep out big players such as Teboho Mokoena and Khuliso Mudau out of the team, in their previous two games.
In comparison, Pirates do not have many players of the same proven quality on the bench, who can make a difference when called upon to the line-up and perhaps one of the reasons the Spanish coach could not afford to make changes in their league opener - with substitutions against the Chilli Boys, comprising of youngsters such as Thuso Moleleki and Boitumelo Radiopane.
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Interestingly, Stellenbosch rotated their team in their domestic league opening game against Golden Arrows, following their 2-0 win over AS Vita in the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary first-leg clash.
After making seven changes in the Betway Premiership, Stellies went on to lose 2-0 to Abafana Bes'thende.
Should Pirates progress to the CAF Champions League group stages, they risk facing fatigue deep into the season, juggling three tournaments, potentially five (with the Carling Knockout and Nedbank Cup to come), playing more or less the same line-ups.
