Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says he has been resting a number of key players for their CAF Champions League clash against Rayon Sports on Wednesday.

The Brazilians flew directly to Rwanda after their 3-1 victory over AmaZulu at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Friday’s Absa Premiership match.

Mosimane says he sacrificed numerous key players during their exploits in the PSL to keep them fresh for the CAF Champions League and national team duty.

‘It’s been difficult juggling our domestic and continental commitments,’ Mosimane told his club’s official website. ‘I have taken some risks with how we manage our squad. I have been resting Themba Zwane, Sibusiso Vilakazi and Hlompho Kekana because they are Bafana Bafana players.

‘They have played a lot of football and they have travelled a lot. We also rested Jeremy Brockie who played in the CAF Confederation Cup. You saw how Vilakazi lifted us when he came on against SuperSport United after being rested.

‘Zwane and Kekana are fresh. We rested Tiyani Mabunda against SuperSport United. It’s risky but we have to juggle the team to make sure that in the final last five games, we have legs and fresh legs. Bafana players know how to play in the continent. Vilakazi, Zwane, Kekana and Mabunda are the big guns who have played in the continent and most of them were there when we won the Champions League. This is the time to bring them on now because we sacrificed them in the league to ensure that they are fresh. It’s risky, but we can afford them.

Mosimane went on to say that he knows what to expect from Rayon, but insists they will continue to analyse the team’s ‘strength and weaknesses’.

‘We had people who went to watch their matches. I know that six of their players were in Chan [African Nations Championship],’ he added.

Mamelodi Sundowns will take on Rayon Sports in their CAF Champions League encounter at the Stade Amahoro on Wednesday, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00.