The rescheduled Nedbank Cup quarterfinal match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Sekhukhune United has presented new challenges for The Brazilians.
Sundowns host Sekhukhune United on Friday evening (19:00) at Lucas Moripe Stadium in a match which was initially set to be played on March 8 but was postponed due to stadium booking issues.
READ: Bafana bliss in Abidjan!
The winner of this tie will then square off against Kaizer Chiefs in the semi-finals.
Friday's game will be played on the back of Miguel Cardoso playing a waiting game on the players that have been away on international duty.
Divine Lunga is in Uyo with Zimbabwe, where they will play Nigeria on Tuesday having put in a full shift last Thursday against Benin.
He will then spend Wednesday travelling back to Johannesburg and will be able to report back to Chloorkop on matchday minus one.
Peter Shalulile started both games for Namibia, scoring in one and providing an assist in the other in matches against Malawi and Equatorial Guinea.
Luckily for the hard-running striker, his second match was on Monday in Polokwane, and he is now back at his base in Gauteng.
Then, with the Bafana contingent, Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Teboho Mokoena, and Jayden Adams all started in the 2-0 win over Lesotho on Friday.
Thapelo Morena, Bathusi Aubaas, and Iqraam Rayners came on from the bench, pushing to seven the numbers of Sundowns players that had minutes.
Grant Kekana was an unused substitute.
The Bafana crew will only be back at Chloorkop on Thursday, just a day before the match and will need to be assessed before a decision is made on their inclusion for Friday's match.
Sundowns have already played 17 games since the turn of the New Year and could still play another 16 before they head to the FIFA Club World Cup in June.
The Brazilians have seven left to play in the Betway Premiership, could play three in the Nedbank Cup if they reach the final and will have to play six in the CAF Champions League if they reach the final.
While Cardoso has expressed joy in having so many players going away on international duty, he is aware of the impact on their schedule.
"We feel proud that they are there obviously, there is an impact in that as we will play the Champions League and the Nedbank Cup and have to cope with the fact that if those players play the two matches in the national team, we need to take care of them.
"But we are here to manage it.
READ | Pending deal confirmed for ex-Chiefs winger
"It is my job, and I will try to do it in the best way possible," says Cardoso.
After the Sekhukhune game on Friday, Sundowns will then host Esperance at Loftus Versfeld next Tuesday.