Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane praised his side's character and endurance after they beat Black Leopards 2-1 on Tuesday night in Thohoyandou.

The result means Sundowns go level with Orlando Pirates at the top of the Premiership standings though the Sea Robbers hold the advantage in terms of goal-difference.

Nonetheless, Mosimane praised his team after they had only recently arrived back from Morocco having played Wydad Casablanca in a CAF Champions League first leg semi-final in Rabat. Wydad won 2-1 with the second leg taking place this Saturday.

Speaking to SuperSport after the game, he said: "Leopards were always quicker than us, faster to the second ball because we didn't have the freshness to keep up with them.

"We managed the game as you can see especially in the second half. And you could see by my subs, we need (Gaston) Sirino, we need (Hlompho) Kekana, we need Themba Zwane because we have a big game on Saturday.

"These boys are unbelievable. If you look at the program we have, nobody, South Africa has a program like us. No one. Nobody. To play two champions league games in between the league.

"From Rabat to Thohoyandou, it's unbelievable. One and a half days rest and they have to play football. For me it's humbling. I don't mind even if we don't win the league.

"I give respect to these boys to play football like this with such a program. That's why we had to rest (Lebohang) Maboe, (Tiyani) Mabunda. Because we don''t have the legs to complete the programme.

"But these boys, they keep on going. As long as we keep on pushing. It's not in our hands, It's in Pirates' hands. The best thing we can is give our best and our best might not be good enough. But I take my hat off to these boys."