Mamelodi Sundowns could be facing another fatigue dilemma despite the PSL season taking a break.
The Brazilians had an unusually demanding season after the invitation of the inaugural African Football League, a competition they have gone on to win.
The Tshwane giants have shown signs of fatigue after the AFL tournament, as they uncharacteristically dropped points in two successive CAF Champions League group matches, a loss against TP Mazembe and a goalless draw against Pyramids, although they eventually edged the Egyptian side 1-0 in Cairo.
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Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena alluded that fatigue has been a factor in their loss against the Ravens, in a draw against Pyramids and even after they dropped points for the first time in the DStv Premiership against Cape Town City on Sunday.
The Brazilians, who have to deal with the majority of their regular players being with Bafana, will have the same problem ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.
While other players will be taking a break, Mokwena says he expects at least ten players to be with Bafana for the duration of the AFCON and that is the challenge they are facing.
"We'll take a little bit of a break, we're in desperate need of a holiday, it's a pity I'll probably have ten players at AFCON in Ivory Coast, so those ones will probably have a rest after Afcon," Mokwena told reporters.
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"But most of the squad, I've got players already, especially the internationals, their flights are booked and they'll take a couple of weeks off and we'll come back.
"We'll probably have a short camp that will be in South Africa without too much travelling and prepare for what will be some gruelling games when we start because we've got a very difficult programme that includes games against Golden Arrows and Orlando Pirates as soon as we open, so it's quite a tough programme," he added.
If Bafana reach the latter stages of the AFCON, that could come at a cost for Sundowns, as their players could be playing until February, with the PSL set to resume in the same month.
The Brazilians cannot afford any more slip ups in the CAF Champions League, which also resumes in February, as their lead at the top of the group is marginal, with two matches remaining.