More PSL fixture chaos
DAUNTING TASK AWAITS DOWNS
THE Premier Soccer League (PSL) yesterday released its latest fixture list, but more chaos seems inevitable in the months ahead should local clubs emulate Mamelodi Sundowns’ recent continental success. Sundowns will no doubt complain bitterly about the latest programme, as they face a game every three days starting next month until June 17 – when the Absa Premiership final games take place – with two Fifa breaks in between providing minor respite. At the base of the brewing chaos is the PSL’s need to end the programme before June 30, when some players’ contracts are due to expire. But even more changes could be in the pipeline should Sundowns, Bidvest Wits, Platinum Stars and SuperSport United progress further in CAF competitions.
The latter three sides face a preliminary round on February 11-12 and 18-19, while Downs, who have a bye as they are Champions League title holders, will be engaging TP Mazembe in the CAF Super Cup on February 18.
Behind by six league games, Sundowns face a busy February, where they will play seven games, including the Super Cup, in just 20 days.
But the month of May could be the busiest for Pitso Mosimane’s team, who again have seven games but that could escalate to 10 if they make the CAF Champions League group phase and the Nedbank Cup semifinals.
In a strange move, CAF has slotted in two group phase rounds for May 13 and May 24.
The programme could yet change if South African teams drop out in the early rounds of the continental competition, but another dilemma awaits should Sundowns and Wits – who are in the Champions League – drop to the Confederation Cup.
“We wrote to our members following an executive meeting in October [last year], making aware of the looming changes.
“Of course, not everyone will be happy with the programme but we had to do everything in our power to accommodate all teams,” said Premier Soccer League spokesman Lux September.
Ending the season on June 24 – with the Nedbank Cup final – would mean the league programme eats well into the Fifa Confederations Cup, which kicks off in Russia on June 17.
SuperSport’s Jeremy Brockie, whose New Zealand will be in Russia, expressed his puzzlement at the programme, asking on Twitter: “What happens to the teams that have players represented at the Confeds Cup which starts on June 17?”
SuperSport are due to face Platinum Stars on that day and may have to do without their star striker.
It could get even worse should Zimbabwe – who have as many as eight PSL players in their current squad – somehow pull off a miracle in the Africa Cup of Nations which is under way in Gabon.
The winners of the tournament, concluding on February 5, represent the continent at the Confed Cup in June.
“May could be the busiest for Downs, who have seven games, but that could escalate to 10