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Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has a tough decision to make.
The Brazilians and Ajax Cape Town have already qualified for next year’s Confederation of African Football (CAF) Confederations Cup by virtue of reaching the Nedbank Cup final, which will be played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on May 16.
But Sundowns also stand a good chance of joining league champions Kaizer Chiefs in the CAF Champions League – if they finish second on the log.
Sundowns are third on the log and have the same number of points as second-placed Orlando Pirates (48) with a game in hand.
Pirates are looking to go back to the Champions League after finishing as runners-up two years ago when they lost to Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
With the title already decided, the two teams are now fighting for the remaining Champions League spot.
That competition, which carries a $1 million (R12.06 million) prize, is regarded as the most prestigious tournament on the continent, with the Confederations Cup that carries a $660 000 prize considered inferior.
Mosimane told City Press that deciding between the tournaments would be tough.
He did, however, note that he would wait for guidance from the club bosses.
“Personally, I would go for the big fish [Champions League]. But my bosses have the final say.
“We showed this year that we were not ready for the Champions League after spending seven years outside the competition. We were found wanting; maybe the Confederations Cup won’t be a bad idea,” said Mosimane.
Sundowns were knocked out of the Champions League in the second round by TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo on 3-2 aggregate.
But Mosimane would like another shot at the tournament.
“We are still going to beef up our squad so we can compete on the continent. For the local league, I think we are okay with the personnel we have, but on the continent we need lots of experience,” he added.
But Mosimane needs to first qualify by guiding his charges to a runners-up berth in the league – before focusing on the tough choice
