Pitso Mosimane believes Mamelodi Sundowns have everything to play for in the MTN8 semi-final second leg after their 1-0 defeat to Cape Town City in the first leg on Saturday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

Mosimane, who rested most of his key players for the first leg, made nine changes to his starting lineup while handing Toni Silva, Mosa Lebusa and Sphelele Mkhulise their first starts.

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The second leg will be played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday.

The former Bafana Bafana mentor says he was pleased with his side’s performance but was disappointed by the outcome of the game.

‘We played well‚ I’m not unhappy with my boys under the circumstances‚ you all know that 90% of the team on the pitch has not even played 45 minutes recently‚’ Mosimane said.

‘They came here and played a tough game like this‚ it was brilliant and I am happy with the progression. We have a different programme and we are managing it well.

‘We are an ambitious club and that is the price you pay when you are ambitious. When you want more‚ you have to put in more.

‘This is the team we left behind when we went to Morocco to play Wydad Casablanca and if it comes out like this then I am very happy. To match a very good team like Cape Town City‚ I am proud of the boys.’

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Mosimane admitted that playing in three different competitions within the space of a couple of days has put a strain on his squad, but he believes Sundowns has the depth and quality to deal with their congested fixture schedule.

‘The league is a different mentality‚ Champions League is different emotions because it is a bigger tournament. When you look up [in the stands] there is a South African flag flying there and it is part of the national agenda.

‘Then you have the MTN8 and our supporters are emotional about the cup games‚ you have to pitch up and you can’t give excuses.

‘All is not lost‚ we have another chance to play in Pretoria‚ normally there is a goal there for Sundowns.’

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Mamelodi Sundowns will now welcome Guinea side Horoya to the Lucas Moripe Stadium in their must-win Caf Champions League group stage encounter on Tuesday with kick-off set for 6pm.

Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix