Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has explained why he took "a risk" with wholesale changes after beating Polokwane City 2-0 in the Betway Premiership.
After losing to City almost two weeks ago with most regulars rested, Mngqithi made wholesale changes again, compared to the team that beat Kaizer Chiefs in the Carling Knockout.
Kutlwano Letlhaku scored both goals for Sundowns, as they cut the lead behind log-leaders Orlando Pirates to just three points.
READ | 18y0 Letlhaku steers Sundowns past Polokwane
"We wanted better speed of play and we started well in that regard but unfortunately we were not clinical in the attacking third and our final decision let us down but it was impressive to see these boys play the way they played because it was a risk to a lot of people," Mngqithi said on SuperSport TV.
"That why didn't I continue with the other team? But I felt I can trust these boys. I trust what we're trying to do and I believe it will help us to try to get everybody knowing that he can play at any given stage and I was impressed with their performance.
"The most important thing is to make sure that each and every player that we have is gonna be valuable to try and help us in all these competitions, because if we're going to rely on a certain group of players and not use other players, we will have a problem in the long run."
The 53-year-old mentor went on and stressed the importance of rotating his squad.
"And players will be tired at the wrong time. Remember we're only just going to start the group stages of the [CAF] Champions League, which means we've got six matches there and the quarter-final, possibly the semi-final and the final," the former Golden Arrows coach said.
"And there's still the [FIFA] Club World Cup after that, so it's very important that each and every player is part of this process and when they give me trust and hope that whenever they are given a chance they are going to deliver, that's very impressive.
"I must also thank my fellow technical team in that regard because I think if I was working with people who are cowards, maybe they would have said 'No, no coach let's go back'. Nobody is guaranteed a place at Sundowns."