Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has explained the decision to take off Khuliso Mudau during Mamelodi Sundowns' narrow victory over Kaizer Chiefs.
Sundowns were overwhelming favourites to beat Chiefs in their clash at a sold-out Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday, and went on to live up to the expectations to a first-half Lucas Ribeiro Costa goal.
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The match was a fourth in 10 days for the Tshwane giants and it was, at times, evident that the expensively-assembled squad was looking the worst for wear.
This was one of the reasons Bafana defender Mudau had to be taken off, according to the head coach.
"We knew that we had to substitute him, we knew," Cardoso told journalists at the post-match press conference.
"I also knew that there were two or three players that eventually I will have to substitute. Lucas Suarez, I was thinking that I would have to take him out.
"[Asekho] Tiwani, I was thinking that I will have to take him out. And also, eventually, Jayden (Adams), I thought I would have to take him out.
"Because we know what we have. We have assessments on their physicality, let's say, on the data that they produce. And also we have reports and assessments on their condition," he continued.
The head coach also gave an update on Mudau's injury after he was taken off for Thapelo Morena in the 67th minute.
"No, Mudau made a wonderful recovery. From what we saw, it's nothing special on him. Two or three minutes before, he was on the line, beside myself, I asked him, 'How are you in the moment? 'Good? 'Okay, let's go for a couple of minutes more'.
"But then the players also understand that right now it's time to go out, and he protected himself, and I really appreciate that he did so, because then we could put Thapelo [in].
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"But also, Thapelo should not play too much because, as you saw in the last game [against Sekhukhune United, we also took out Thapelo (in the 46th minute].
"So, now we need to give rest to both of them so that we then decide who will play the next match," said Cardoso.
Sundowns next face Golden Arrows at Mpumalanga Stadium (19:30).