Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has stressed the importance of rotating his players as they turn their attention to the Caf Champions League group stage.

The Brazilians will face Angolan side Petro de Luanda on Saturday who will be fired up after making a return to the Champions League for the first time since 2010.

Sundowns welcome the Angolan side in the Champions League for the first time since 2001, where in that year they played to a 2-2 aggregate draw in the semi-finals which Sundowns eventually won 5-3 on penalties.

‘We are getting our confidence back a little and we are bringing everybody on board to play. We made seven changes in our most recent match from the Arrows game (played on Saturday) and the boys showed they deserve a chance,’ Mosimane told his club’s official website.

‘We are playing in three tournaments – the CAF Champions League, the Telkom Knockout Final and the League (Absa Premiership). So you need everybody to be part of this. We have injuries and suspensions and it’s not easy for us because we have a difficult run.

‘They are a very strong team in terms of physique and aggression and we know the Champions League is not the same as our league (Absa Premiership), it’s all about getting the three points.’

The match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium is scheduled to kick-off at 9pm on Saturday.