Pirates’ Champions League place forces major PSL fixture changes

Orlando Pirates’ qualification for the CAF Champions League group stage is set to trigger a significant reshuffle of their Betway Premiership schedule, including their highly anticipated meeting with Mamelodi Sundowns.

Pirates secured their place in the continental group stage and will be included in Wednesday’s draw, which will determine their three opponents.

They will face one club from each of three pots. Pot 1 contains Esperance, RS Berkane, Pyramids and Zamalek, while Al Hilal, Simba, Young Africans and Petro de Luanda are in pot 2. Pot 4 includes Club Africain, Wiliete, Colombe Sportive and Maghreb Fez.

At least one trip to North Africa is already guaranteed because every team in pot 1 comes from that region. Pirates could face an even more demanding schedule if all three of their opponents are North African clubs, with the journeys potentially requiring long-distance travel and connections through airports outside the continent.

The CAF dates for the group-stage matches have now been confirmed. As a result, the PSL will need to find new dates for six of Pirates’ league fixtures scheduled between November 28 and January 22.

The most notable change concerns the match against Sundowns, which is currently set for Saturday, January 9 at Loftus Versfeld. That fixture is now expected to move to a midweek date.

The six affected Orlando Pirates matches are:

– November 28: Golden Arrows – Orlando Amstel Arena – December 5: Stellenbosch FC – Orlando Amstel Arena – December 19: Polokwane City – Orlando Amstel Arena – January 9: Mamelodi Sundowns – Loftus Versfeld – January 16: AmaZulu FC – Orlando Amstel Arena – January 22: Kruger United – Orlando Amstel Arena

Pirates’ progress in the CAF Champions League is not the only continental qualification that will have an impact on the domestic fixture list.

Durban City have also reached the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup and will face similar scheduling changes during the campaign.

Their affected Betway Premiership fixtures are against Polokwane City, Siwelele FC, Chippa United, Kaizer Chiefs, Richards Bay FC and Milford FC.

Both clubs will therefore have to balance their domestic commitments with the demands of continental competition, while the PSL works to identify replacement dates for the postponed weekend matches.