Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi may be feeling vindicated, while the Tshwane giants' relations with Bafana Bafana could sour, following apprehensions over Themba Zwane's injury.
Mngqithi was heavily criticised early in the season for not starting games with Zwane, matches in which Sundowns performed below par in the MTN8.
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The sentiment around the side's usage of 'Mshishi' mellowed after they got back to winning ways, with the focus moving towards the omission of Teboho Mokoena and Khuliso Mudau from the line-ups.
The head coach, however, was adamant regarding the importance of periodization for players such as Zwane, more so given his age.
"We've got six competitions to play in and it is very important for us to make sure we don't burn out our 34-year-old [35] early in the season. It's something you look at as a problem, but there is no problem," Mngqithi told the media.
"He understands how many games we are going to play this season and if we go for 90 minutes with Themba every match at 34, how far will he go this season? For me, in our periodization, I think it's important that we take care of Sundowns, not your wishes and aspirations."
Due to lack of periodization in the national team, the Tembisa-born star played 90 minutes against Congo-Brazzaville in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, despite the fact SA were 3-0 up before half-time.
If that was not enough, playing away in Congo, on a horribly bad pitch, head coach Hugo Broos started the veteran, and after 40 minutes, he picked up an injury that the Belgian now fears could see him sit out for months.
"It was not a good thing for us that Themba had to go out with an injury. It's a big injury, Achilles. I will be afraid he will be out for months," Broos told the media.
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Former Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena had an issue with how The Brazilians players were not properly periodized and conditioned at Bafana, bemoaning the fact they always returned with injuries and fatigue.
How Broos handled Zwane in the two games against Congo could well have vindicated both Mokwena and Mngqithi.