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Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has claimed the club would be disappointing their fans if they prioritised the CAF Champions League.
According to 'Jingles', Sundowns fans want their team to fight for all trophies on offer, and that is precisely what his plan is ahead of the Telkom Knockout.
The Brazilians were handed a tricky first-round draw against Bloemfontein Celtic, who held them to a 0-0 draw in the Premiership.
After they crashed out of the MTN8 semi-finals against Cape Town City on penalties, Mosimane is concerned about the effect fixture congestion will have on their TKO campaign.
"It's obviously going to be a difficult game," he told the club's official website of their looming clash with Steve Komphela's side.
"Cup games are always a little bit of a problem for us. If you look at the top eight, it clashed with the CAF Champions League. You saw that we had different line-ups when we played in Cape Town and home in the semi-final of the MTN8, that had an effect on the result.
"The Telkom Knockout clashes with the Champions League that's about to start in a few weeks' time. That also has an effect on us. We are two games behind in the league in terms of our schedule and there are also international games.
"To play against a team that nearly won this competition last year, a revived team, will be difficult."
The Tshwane giants will be playing in front of their home supporters against Phunya Sele Sele at Lucas Moripe Stadium on the weekend of 19-21 October, and Mosimane is eager to please them despite the obstacles facing Downs.
"You should understand the mentality of the game at home, our supporters love trophies. You can't say that we're prioritising the Champions League," he said.
"That would be a mistake. Our supporters would kill us if you say that. What's important is to try and make them happy and keep going."
