Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has been reminded not to repeat the same mistake made by his predecessor Rulani Mokwena as the Carling Knockout gets underway on the weekend.
Sundowns were knocked out of the Carling Knockout by TS Galaxy in the first round last season after they rested seven players who had been on Bafana Bafana duty.
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They came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with the Rockets but ultimately lost 5-4 on penalties, after there was no separating the two outfits in extra-time.
Mngqithi has been in favour of rotating his squad so far this season and after an international break, ahead of the competition's Last 16 clash against Golden Arrows, ex-Sundowns striker Katlego Mashego has urged the the head coach to play his best squad possible.
"It's the stress of Sundowns. When Sundowns is on international break, there's only about 12 or 13 players that train, the rest have gone to internationals. I think the boys that come from internationals should be integrated into the team that will play on Saturday," Mashego said on The Pitchside Podcast.
"It should be the strongest Sundowns line-up that should play when the internationals are back. Sundowns should strive to win every trophy they participate in. Even this one against Arrows, they should go into this game thinking last season we went out in the first round, we don't want a repeat of the same thing.
"Because now, it sort of puts a dent on the club, now people will say supposedly you have 30 players you can refresh, you buy everyone and you only win the league…," 'Mahoota' suggested.
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Mokwena's gamble last season could have paid off, as the players were particularly rested for the African Football League quarter-final first-leg encounter against Petro de Luanda (which took place three days later), having won 2-0 away.
That set the tone for the Chloorkop-based side to eventually win the inaugural trophy, which came with a handsome R75 million prize money.