Orlando Pirates could have put themselves at a disadvantage ahead of a big CAF Champions clash against Al Ahly on Saturday.
Head coach Jose Riveiro was questioned on whether not making changes for the game against Stellenbosch, after travelling to Algeria, following a 2-1 win over CR Belouizdad, was the reason for their defeat against Stellenbosch.
READ | REVEALED: What changed for Mthethwa at Chiefs
In hindsight, Bucs could have been consumed by the pressure to remain perfect in the Betway Premiership instead of prioritizing perhaps their biggest game of the season against The Red Devils on Saturday.
Because in comparison to Pirates, the Egyptian giants did not do any travelling in the opening game of their CAF Champions League group stage campaign after thrashing Stade d'Abidjan 4-2.
And after returning to the domestic schedule on Sunday against National Bank, Marcel Koller rested key players - goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, Akram Tawfik and Taher Mohamed - in a game that ended goalless, ahead of a trip down south, with Percy Tau among the changes brought into the line-up.
"Now with 1-0 [loss to Stellenbosch FC], it's easy to have the temptation to say we should've changed four, five fresh players. But the truth is the team started the game very well. We should've capitalized our control in the first 20, 25 minutes," Riveiro told reporters in his post-match press conference at Orlando Stadium.
"Probably, if we had the lead, we would be talking about a different result. I don't think so [that it was a mistake not to rotate]. I think the team was prepared to perform in a short space of time, in high-intensity games.
"We prepared the team during pre-season for these moments. if players are available to have the opportunity to repeat the starting line-up, it doesn't mean we will do it always because it's not always possible," he added.
READ: Stellies formula to limit Rele Co. revealed
Riveiro could be tempted to rotate against the reigning champions at Es'godini on Saturday.
However, truth is, the 'Spanish Guitar' could have been better off rotating against Stellies and have his best players fresh for the test against Al Ahly.