Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane believes their congested fixture list means his overworked players are more vulnerable to injury.
The Brazilians won 2-0 against AC Leopards in the first-leg of their CAF Champions League, first-round clash at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday night.
The victory, though, came at the costs of Khama Billiat, Leonardo Castro and Asavela Mbekile, who all limped off with injuries.
"I'm happy with the result, 2-0. I'm happy the boys showed they want to win. The mentality is right for Champions League, to be honest, it was good," Mosimane told SuperSport.
"We have to go there and fight. We're just falling off with injuries, we've lost Mbekile with a hamstring and Rama is only a week back, it's unfortunate, but we have to do what we have to do, we've got a lot of injuries...Leo is out with an injury.
"It comes back to the very same thing. I will say it, and I will always say it, teams that play in the Champions League need help, the game against Bloemfontein Celtic between the Congo game is not helping us.
"But let me tell you something, we are strong, we believe we have character."