Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane understands that his side will feel the impact of losing Khama Billiat and Percy Tau.

Billiat signed for Kaizer Chiefs after allowing his contract to run out at Chloorkop despite Mosimane’s attempts to get the Zimbabwean international to stay.

Percy Tau, on the other hand, has been embroiled in the club’s latest transfer saga after going on strike in an attempt to force through a move to English Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.

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Jingles will now have to find a way to replace two of his team’s biggest contributors over the last two seasons.

Masandawana begin their season with the continuation of the Caf Champions League when they face AS Togo-Port on Tuesday, and the 53-year-old tactician has admitted that it will be a difficult season after Tau and Billiat’s departures.

‘You can’t say you won’t struggle without them,’ Mosimane told The Sowetan.

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‘The reality is we will lose some momentum. We have lost two important players and that will cause a challenge.

‘Percy is the one that will be hard to replace. Khama – we’ve played without him. He played about 12 games for us last season [actually 16]. He was forever injured. But let’s be honest, he was effective in the few games he played. Every time he came in, he made a big impact, so you can’t really say we won’t miss him,’ he added.

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Mosimane will now look to the likes of Sibusiso Vilakazi and Jeremy Brockie to fill the void.

‘The good thing is we have Vila [Sibusiso Vilakazi] to fill that No 10 role. The problem is at No 9, where Percy was playing,’ he said.

‘Someone else has to step up. Brockie, [Thokozani] Sekotlong, [Cuthbert] Malajila – all these guys have to raise their hand and claim that No 9 spot,’ he concluded.