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Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane admits he faces a tough decision in regard to his team selection for Saturday's CAF Champions League clash with Cote d'Or.
Masandawana lock horns with the minnows in the first-leg tie on Saturday afternoon before turning their attentions to what promises to be a tough game against SuperSport United in the MTN8 semi-finals.
As such, Mosimane could be tempted to rotate his squad over the next week in order to give his fringe players the chance to impress.
However, he was also keen to point out that he dislikes the term "fringe players" as he feels they are all important to the Sundowns cause.
"I don't have fringe players, I have players who have not been playing and not been given a chance," Mosimane said, as quoted by Times Live. "I don't like the word, fringe players.
"It's the chicken and egg story because if you play those who have not been playing and they don't do well, then it backfires spectacularly," Mosimane said, as quoted by Times Live.
"It will appear as if you underestimated the opponent.
"But if it works out, it gives you space. The situation has its own positives and negatives.
"What you need to do is to check the availability of players because that's important.
"You must check who is injured and who is available to play and by the way, this is a Champions League game."
He continued: "On paper, it looks easy but the last time we were there in 2015 we drew 1-1 with St Michel and we had to come from behind.
"I remember Khama Billiat saved us with a goal in around the 80th minute to equalise and we were in a lot of stress.
"Fortunately, we managed to sort things out in the return leg here in South Africa."
- TeamTalk Media
