Cricket Rugby Soccer Sport news so fresh, its live!

February 12, 2025
Search
Football Africa Cup of Nations Bafana Bafana Mamelodi Sundowns Orlando Pirates

Clash Looms Between SAFA and PSL Over Scheduling

  • April 23, 2024
  • 2 min read
  • 445 Views
Clash Looms Between SAFA and PSL Over Scheduling

The South African Football Association (SAFA) and the Premier Soccer League (PSL) are on a potential collision course again due to the PSL’s recently announced schedule.

The PSL announced that the Nedbank Cup final will be played on 1 June at Mbombela Stadium. This date poses a significant challenge as it falls just two days before Bafana Bafana’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Nigeria on 3 June.

The clash creates logistical difficulties for both SAFA, the PSL, and potentially affected clubs. Releasing players, especially from Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates if they reach the final, will be problematic. These teams were heavily represented in Bafana’s recent AFCON squad that claimed the bronze medal, highlighting the potential player shortage.

The Nedbank Cup semifinals are scheduled for early next month, with both Pirates and Sundowns still in contention for the Ke Yona Cup. The Soweto giants will visit Chippa United on 4 May at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and the following day Mamelodi Sundowns, who will be looking to reclaim the Ke Yona trophy, visit tricky side Stellenbosch FC at Danie Craven Stadium. 

However, a source suggests the FIFA and CAF dates might be provisional, and neither the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) nor SAFA have confirmed them.

If the dates remain fixed, this will likely anger Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos, who has previously clashed with the PSL over scheduling issues. In December, he unsuccessfully advocated for a league break before Christmas to allow players to rest before the AFCON tournament.

Following the Nigeria match (a rematch of the AFCON semi-final), Bafana Bafana are scheduled to host Zimbabwe seven days later, with the venue yet to be announced.

Bafana, in Group C of the World Cup qualifiers that contains six teams, are second on the table with three points after two matches.

About Author

Robin-Duke Madlala

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *