Snl24 | PSL plans for CAF, but…

The Premier Soccer League has laid down contingency plans for all possibilities with clubs involved in CAF club competitions.

The prospect of having four South African clubs in the group stages of the two CAF inter-club competitions could have ripple effects on the smooth progress of the domestic league.

This could be worsened by what happens with the African Football League whose fate is still hanging despite suggestions the number of teams could be increased.

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Last season, the inaugural edition of the AFL created challenges for the domestic programme with Mamelodi Sundowns having to play their games on all days of the week – from Monday to Sunday to complete their matches.

Commendable for the PSL is that they have done all their planning incorporating the possibility of having all four teams in the group stages.

The challenge with the group stages of both the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup is that it is unknown who the PSL clubs will be drawn against if they get to that stage.

What creates complications are matters relating to travel on the continent especially to North Africa which normally comes with connecting flights in the Middle East or Europe.

This then means after playing an away game on Sunday night in Algeria or Libya arrival back in South Africa can be Wednesday morning on some occasions which then limits the chances of a mid-week fixture.  

Last year, Sundowns had trips to Mauritania and Egypt in the group stages before playing in Tunisia in the semi-finals.

SuperSport United had it rough after being grouped with teams from Egypt, Algeria, and Libya.

So far, Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, Sekhukhune United, and Stellenbosch will have their opening day Betway Premiership fixtures moved to midweek due to their CAF commitments.

Pirates and Stellenbosch have to start from the first round which will be played over the next two weekends with Sundowns and Sekhukhune joining in September.

This means Sundowns’ league opener against SuperSport United will only be played in midweek just like Sekhukhune’s game against Magesi. 

The Brazilians and Babina Noko already have their league fixtures for September 20 moved to January due to their second round, second leg CAF commitments which could also be for The Bucs and Stellies if they proceed to the second round.  

Should all four clubs go through to the group stages, the league has made contingency plans for all six CAF match days though further changes to the dates could be made depending on each of the club’s away trips at that stage.

The PSL has also planned for the knockout stages of the CAF club competitions all the way to the final.

Sundowns, Pirates, and Stellenbosch are still in the MTN8 whose final is on October 5 while all 16 PSL clubs will play in the Carling Knockout due to start on October 19.  

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The months of September, October, and November all have FIFA calendar breaks with the Carling Cup final set for November 30.

After all is done locally and, on the continent, Sundowns will have the cross Atlantic trip to the USA for the FIFA Club World Cup due to run from June 15 – July 13.