Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro's decision not to rotate the team could come back to haunt him against Mamelodi Sundowns, according former midfielder Lebohang Mokoena.
Pirates' squad depth was always to be under scrutiny challenging for the Betway Premiership title, Nedbank Cup and CAF Champions League.
Normally, coaches prefer to rotate the team with games coming thick and fast but Riveiro has been stuck with the same team that has been getting results.
More or less the same starting line-up has been doing duty to reach the CAF Champions League quarter-finals, Nedbank Cup round of 16 and back-to-back matches in the league.
Ahead of the highly anticipated top-of-the-table clash against The Brazilians, the Spanish coach did not change the team that played against Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby in a midweek encounter against Sekhukhune United, as Paseka Mako was the only new face in the line-up.
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According to Mokoena, the signs of fatigue are beginning to show after they edged Babina Noko 2-1.
"If you look at it, you can tell the players are already fatigued because games are coming in thick and fast and it's not really easy games, it's really tough games," Mokoena said on SoccerBeat YouTube Channel.
"And he's been having the same players over and over but with the past few games you could see the introduction of other players like your Shandus, Xokis, he's trying to get those guys to get into that level as well.
"Mako played full match (against Sekhukhune), his fitness level is getting up to scratch, so it's not easy, that's why the team was a little bit dismantled in the second-half (against Sekhukhune), he brought subs but there was no more fluidity," 'Cheeseboy' added.
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In comparison, Sundowns made six changes in their midweek clash against SuperSport United in the Tshwane derby, as they won 3-0 with new signings Jayden Adams, Matias Esquivel and Lucas Suarez lifting up the depth in quality.
The Brazilians could also afford to rest the likes of Iqraam Rayners, Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba and Grant Kekana.
