Mosimane faces tricky decision for Sundowns’ trip to Nigeria

16 August 2016 - 12:35 By Mark Gleeson

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane faces a tricky decision on whether to leave out his six players sitting on a yellow card for the now academic Caf Champions League final group game against Enyimba. With Downs already determined as top of Group B‚ they have nothing to play for in Nigeria other than attempting to preserve an impressive 100% win record in the group stage.The Brazilians cannot even try to strategically aim to leverage themselves for a semifinal opponent out of leaders Wydad Casablanca of Morocco and second-placed Zesco United of Zambia in Group A.So Mosimane might be tempted to leave players behind for the trip to play Enyimba on Tuesday‚ August 23‚ particularly the six who sit on a yellow card and would be suspended for the semifinal if they were to be booked in Nigeria.Mamelodi Sundowns to play in Morocco or Zambia in Champions League semifinals Mamelodi Sundowns will meet either Wydad Casablanca of Morocco or the Zambian side Zesco United in the semifinal of the African Champions League next month after both proved successful in their group matches at the weekend.Mamelodi Sundowns unveil new kit inspired by Bafana Ba StyleMamelodi Sundowns have unveiled the team's new home and away kit inspired by Bafana Ba Style. They are goalkeeper Denis Onyango‚ wingers Themba Zwane and Keagan Dolly‚ midfielders Hlompho Kekana and Teko Modise and right-back Siyanda Zwane.Sundowns also have a MTN8 quarter-final derby against SuperSport United at Loftus Versfeld just five days after the assignment.With resting players‚ and protecting those on bookings in mind‚ Mosimane is also keen to keep up consistency plus will be tempted to go for a 100% record in the group after wining all three of the previous matches.Sundowns are not short of match practice as they juggle rest for their players with competing in the Champions League‚ having foregone a traditional end-of-season holiday because of participation in the continent’s top club competition.Sundowns add two more players ahead of Champions League semifinalsMamelodi Sundowns have added only two more players to their list of registered footballers of the rest of this year’s African Champions League campaign but surprisingly left the Brazilian centreback‚ Ricardo Nascimento‚ off their list. Sundowns’ trip to Nigeria will be of academic interest only after Enyimba tumbled out of the Champions League on Monday night.They were beaten 1-0 away in Cairo by Zamalek and have now lost all three of their Group B games‚ putting the Nigerian club out of contention in last place.It means the final game of the group‚ in Port Harcourt next Tuesday‚ when Enyimba hosts Sundowns will have no impact on the final group standings.Sundowns are already guaranteed top place and Zamalek‚ who needed only draw to finish second‚ made sure of their progress to the semifinals with a goal from international striker Bassem Morsi‚ just a week after winning the Egyptian Cup. – TMG Sport..

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