Sundowns’ Marumo Gallants league opener postponed after PSL approves request

Mamelodi Sundowns’ opening Betway Premiership match against Marumo Gallants has been postponed after the Premier Soccer League (PSL) agreed to a request from the champions to delay the fixture.

The game, originally scheduled for 1 August, will be moved to a new date still to be confirmed. The PSL has already listed the clash as “postponed” on its official website.

Sundowns had asked for the rescheduling of their first league outing of the 2026/27 campaign as the squad remains abroad on a pre-season training camp in Austria.

Their arrival in Europe had itself been delayed following the death of midfielder Jayden Adams, with the majority of the squad staying in South Africa to attend his memorial service before flying out.

Fixture change confirmed

The PSL has not yet announced when the match against Marumo Gallants will be played, but the decision means the Betway Premiership title holders will not feature on the opening day of the new season, which kicks off in four days’ time.

The fixture reshuffle comes as Sundowns attempt to carefully manage a demanding calendar after another successful year domestically and on the continent.

Campaign packed with eight competitions

Sundowns, who lifted the CAF Champions League last season, face a congested 2026/27 schedule.

In addition to defending their Betway Premiership title, they will take part in multiple extra competitions as a result of their continental success, including the CAF Super Cup, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the African-Asian-Pacific Cup.

In total, the club is set to compete in eight different competitions during the campaign, placing a premium on squad rotation and planning.

Return to South Africa imminent

Masandawana are expected to return from Austria to South Africa in the coming days to continue preparations for what is anticipated to be a gruelling season across domestic and international fronts.

The club has not issued further comment on the postponement, while supporters of both Sundowns and Marumo Gallants now await confirmation of the new date for the rescheduled league opener.