Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena says injuries to Cassius Mailula and Abubeker Nasir is a result of the Brazilians’ busy fixture schedule this season.

The Tshwane giants returned to winning ways after they edged out Richards Bay 1-0 thanks to a goal from Thapelo Morena at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday evening.

However, the likes of Mailila and Nasir picked up injuries during the game as Sundowns went on to secure maximum points.

Mokwena has since stated that squad rotation is not always the best solution to his sides busy fixture schedule.

“Not a lot of people know how tough this is, this is very tough, the schedule, the travelling, 20 hours, we arrived only yesterday (Monday),” Mokwena told SuperSport TV.

“And you don’t speak about these things before kick-off because they say ‘Ah, he’s already preparing excuses’. So congratulations to the football club, so proud of the players.

“It’s the price you have to pay, I’m not convinced that rotation is always the best policy because rotation says ‘ok, we give a little bit’ we lose cohesion, we lose a little bit of rhythm and then it becomes very difficult especially in games like these, where every game now the opponents are playing for something.

“The opponents are playing to get into the top eight, others are playing to stay away from relegation, others are playing for second spot, so everyone is playing for something.

“The number one buffer is cohesion, what we’ve build from day one of pre-season. Like I said, it is so difficult for this group but in the difficulties we do what is expected of us and we win football matches.”

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