Mamelodi Sundowns face Esperance in the CAF Champions League semi-final second leg with serious fatigue issues that have been backed by statistics.
There is a general perception that the Brazilians cannot complain about fatigue due to their large squad.
However, from a sporting perspective, there is enough evidence to suggest that juggling too many competitions within a short period of time has affected them in the past and at present.
Following the Champions League semi-final first-leg 1-0 loss to Esperance in Tunisia, Masandawana did not have any proper training session ahead of their DStv Premiership clash against Sekhukhune United on Tuesday, where they grinded out a 2-1 win.
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Downs' fatigue issues started to creep in towards December last year, with the heavy schedule that included the African Football League.
The two defeats this season (in regulation time), both on the continent, have come amid a hectic schedule, as they lost 2-1 to Wydad Casablanca in the African Football League final first leg, having only three days to prepare.
They overturned that result in the second leg at home after the PSL postponed their midweek fixture against AmaZulu FC, and were able to be crowned champions.
Sundowns' other loss of the season was also amidst a tight schedule, a 1-0 defeat to TP Mazembe in the Champions League group stages, after facing the Congolese giants on the back of a midweek game against SuperSport United.
Even after being knocked out by Wydad in the Champions League semi-finals last season, Rulani Mokwena's charges were scheduled in midweek for both legs (drew 1-1 away) and over that weekend drew 2-2 with the Moroccan giants in the second leg, getting knocked out on away goals.
In comparison, the North African opposition and other teams on the continent hardly have midweek fixtures before Champions League matches, as is the case with Esperance, who were well rested before the semi-final first leg and again had the whole week of rest and preparation ahead of the second leg on Friday.
"I think what we did (against Sekhukhune) was nothing short of a miracle because without our strong mentality and character we don't win this game… while struggling for legs," Mokwena said, addressing the issue of fatigue in his post-match interview after the Sekhukhune game.
"People can say rotation, but you're rotating with players also that had a trip to Tunisia - 11 hours to go there, 11 hours to come back, you're rotating with players some were on the bench, some were in the grandstands in Tunisia.
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"Their emotional affection from the result also influences, so when I say fatigue I mean fatigue in that sense. You could see it towards the end, the players were suffering a little bit," he added.
Both sides are also close to each other in the rankings to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup, with a spot in the 32-team tournament carrying a minimum of R1 billion.
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