Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane will try by all means to avoid a repeat of what happened to Orlando Pirates after their African escapade.

The Buccaneers suffered the consequences of a taxing run of reaching the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup finals back-to-back after their horrendous campaign last season where they finished 11th in the Premiership.

Sundowns are going through a minor slump in form following their exit from the Champions League at the quarterfinal stage.

"I look at Pirates, they haven't been back [to their best] yet after the Champions League and Confederation Cup finals. The travelling and the fatigue," Mosimane said.

"You can see that I have been rotating the team, but that can also bring instability. To play three seasons in a row without a break, I think we will go through a dip and we should buckle up.

"I foresee a little bit of turbulence on the way. It's going to be tough. We have not stabilised the team, I have not found my starting XI. For the past three years it has been honeymoon for us."

The African champions will take on Chippa United at Sisa Dukashe Stadium on Sunday.

They will be looking to avoid a hat-trick of losses after consecutive 2-1 losses to Kaizer Chiefs and AmaZulu in their previous games.

"Our objective is trying to keep consistency upfront in the way we attack and also improve on our defence.

"We need to give Teboho [Moloi] full respect with their first win, their tails are up. We are limping and licking our wounds."

TKO last 16 Fixtures:

Tonight

Maritzburg v Plat Stars, (8pm)

Tomorrow

Arrows v Pirates, (3.30pm)Polokwane v Ajax, (3.30pm)Celtic v SuperSport, (6pm)Wits vs FS Stars, (8.15pm)Chiefs v AmaZulu, Moses Mabhida Stadium, (8.15pm)SundayBaroka v CPT City, (3.30pm) Chippa v Sundowns, (3.30pm)