Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has revealed that he is not worried about his side’s congested fixture schedule because they are used to it, writes DEAN WORKMAN.

The Brazilians will take on Cape Town City in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals this weekend at the Cape Town Stadium, adding to an already jam-packed schedule. Downs face the prospect of playing eight games in 28 days with fixtures across the Nedbank Cup, Absa Premiership and Caf Champions League.

However, the former Caf coach of the year revealed on Wednesday, during the pre-match press conference building up to the clash against Benni McCarthy’s men, that his side have become used to such a schedule.

‘When you come into final stages [of the season], it is going to be tough. A lot of things are happening. It tests your character and the character of your team. We are not new to eight games in 28 days.

‘For the last three, four years, Mamelodi Sundowns has had this programme. Last year we did not make it, we lost the league by three points with the same programme. The year before last, we made it [won the league] with the same programme. So, the programme just tests our characters, it makes a stronger and a bigger team.’

Mosimane did point out that his side will face well-rested opposition who don’t have similar ‘programmes’ but the former Bafana coach believes this is no excuse for a side of Sundowns’ size and ambition.

‘Our players have experience in this. We have been doing this for the last four years. It’s our life, it’s where we have put ourselves, we have raised the bar. If you want to play in this space, you can’t complain,’ concluded Mosimane.

Sundowns face Cape Town City at the Cape Town Stadium on Sunday in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals, kickoff is at 15:00.

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