Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane admits that their upcoming Absa Premiership clash is a thorn in their side as they prepare for their next Caf Champions League encounter.

The Brazilians reached the first round after thrashing Leones Vegetarianos 5-1 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday and went on to win the tie 7-1 on aggregate.

The win saw Sundowns claim their third consecutive win, with two Champions League games in between their 2-1 victory over SuperSport United in the PSL.

The Tshwane giants will now travel to Egypt when they take on Al Ahly Bhengazi in the first leg of their two legged fixture.

However, Mosimane bemoaned his side’s congested fixture schedule as they will take on Baroka before their first round fixture in the Champions League.

‘That’s our next trip. It’s not an easy one because we have a thorn in the flesh, which is the Baroka game in midweek. You ask yourself when we are going to travel? If we can find a flight, we must travel the same night after the Baroka match so that at least you’re in Cairo the next day,’ Mosimane told his club’s official website.

‘It’s not going to be easy. They [Al-Ahly Bhengazi] also won’t have a midweek game like us. They are relaxed and are waiting for us. We have to do what we have to do, try and get a decent result away from home and not put ourselves under pressure to do everything at home, but hopefully we finish it here.’