PSL reschedules fixtures for Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs amid CAF commitments

Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs will play their next league matches earlier than originally scheduled as both Soweto clubs prepare for CAF inter-club competition.

Pirates’ fixture against TS Galaxy has been brought forward from 18 October to 13 October, with the match still due to take place at Orlando Amstel Arena.

The change comes after Namibian champions African Stars selected Gaborone, Botswana, as the venue for the first leg of their CAF Champions League second qualifying-round tie against Pirates on Saturday, 17 October. The journey from South Africa to Gaborone is expected to take 55 minutes by air.

Pirates will first face Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on 10 October. They will return to Johannesburg the following day to prepare for the meeting with TS Galaxy, before travelling to Gaborone for the continental match.

The first leg against African Stars will be followed by the return fixture, which Pirates will host on 24 October.

The next midweek dates have been set aside for the Carling KnockOut Cup first round. Pirates will then meet Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby on 31 October.

Chiefs have also had their league schedule adjusted. Their match against Stellenbosch will now be played on 13 October at 19h30 at FNB Stadium, rather than on 17 October.

Kaizer Chiefs are due to travel to Zambia for the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup second qualifying-round tie against Red Arrows on 17 October. The match will be held at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

The second leg will take place at Moses Mabhida Stadium on 24 October.

The rescheduling of the two league fixtures allows both clubs to meet their continental commitments as they seek to reach the group stages of their respective CAF competitions.

Mamelodi Sundowns will also be in action on 13 October, when they visit Richards Bay at Princess Magogo Stadium, before travelling to Angola for their Champions League responsibilities.

Durban City face a similar schedule. They are set to play AmaZulu at Chatsworth on the same day before travelling to Mauritius to take on AS Port-Louis 2000.

The fixture changes come during a crowded period for the clubs, with domestic cup and league matches scheduled alongside the opening stages of the CAF competitions.