The Mamelodi Sundowns’ Nedbank Cup quarter-final match against Sekhukhune United, scheduled for next Friday at Lucas Moripe Stadium, presents a significant squad selection challenge for the Tshwane giants, potentially frustrating coach Miguel Cardoso.

Sundowns may be without key players, including captain Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Jayden Adams, Iqraam Rayners, Teboho Mokoena, Thapelo Morena, Bathusi Aubaas, and Grant Kekana.

This is because these players are part of the Bafana Bafana squad participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday (18:00) and Benin at a neutral venue in Ivory Coast on Tuesday.

This schedule leaves these players with only one day of rest after Bafana Bafana’s match against Benin in Ivory Coast, despite the South African Football Association (SAFA) providing a charter flight to and from Ivory Coast. Even with immediate travel after the Tuesday game, it’s impossible for these players to have the required two days’ rest.

Coach Cardoso, who these players are key to his success, will not take chances.

SAFA’s planning, based on FIFA’s 72-hour rest requirement for players before the club matches, would have worked if Bafana Bafana was playing in South Africa on Tuesday. However, this is not the case.

Sundowns finds itself in this predicament because the PSL confirmed the Nedbank Cup quarter-final against Sekhukhune United on Thursday. This game was initially scheduled for 9 March at Lucas Moripe Stadium but was cancelled due to a scheduling conflict with SAFA.

The cancellation stemmed from a clash with the Women’s Under-17 World Cup qualifying match against Nigeria, which offered free admission. Concerns arose that fans attending the earlier match would remain for the Sundowns-Sekhukhune game, impacting ticket sales for the PSL and its sponsor.

SAFA was not at fault, having planned its match at Lucas Moripe Stadium well in advance and communicated this to FIFA. However, the PSL only confirmed the venues and dates for the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals the week before the matches.

The PSL stated it would investigate the cancellation, as it reportedly discovered the scheduling conflict on social media, but no public feedback has been provided.

The winner of the Sundowns-Sekhukhune match will face Kaizer Chiefs in the Ke Yona semi-final.

Meanwhile, Sundowns’ league game against Stellenbosch on 5 April has been postponed, Sportswire has been informed. This is due to both sides’ involvement in the CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup.