Pitso Mosimane has stressed the importance that Bafana Bafana men Hlompho Kekana, Percy Tau, Sibusiso Vilakazi and Themba Zwane will have on Mamelodi Sundowns as they look to compete for the treble this season.

Masandawana finds themselves in a favourable position to clinch a domestic double as they top the log-standings while they have also clinched a semi-final berth in the Nedbank Cup.

When speaking about the way forward, Mosimane compared his current team to that historic 2015-16 outfit that won the PSL title and Champions League.

‘You always have your key players. Last time‚ to make history we had the ‘CBD’ [Leonardo Castro‚ Khama Billiat‚ Keagan Dolly front combination]‚’ he told the media.

‘Now it’s changed. It’s Percy Tau coming up‚ ‘Vila’ [Vilakazi] is taking leadership‚ scoring important goals‚ and playing well.

‘Gaston Sirino is coming up slowly‚ leading us. Themba Zwane is there. You always have the same guys who‚ when we go to the jungle‚ you have to bring them,’ he added.

The former Bafana mentor also cited the importance of central-midfield duo Kekana and Tiyani Mabunda.

‘I’m a bit mad – I look at football differently sometimes. I dropped Hlompho Kekana and Themba Zwane sometimes at crucial times‚ when we really wanted the points.

‘I said they must rest. There would be a time when we were going to need them. And this is that time.

‘Kekana is back. We’ve got Zwane helping us.

‘Percy Tau leading – we gave him 15 days’ rest after the Champions League game in Rwanda. He never even featured in the previous Nedbank Cup game [against EC Bees].

‘We dropped Tiyani Mabunda against SuperSport United‚ a big game. Because we have to have the big guns back.

‘They have the experience‚ they can take the pressure‚ they know how difficult it is. They can play three games in a week‚ with traveling,’ Mosimane said.

Sundowns will look to stretch their lead at the summit of the table to four points when they face Baroka on Sunday afternoon with kickoff set for 3pm.

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