THE Premier Soccer League has shifted around its programme for next month to close up the gap in the fixture list left open by the postponement of the Cosafa Senior Championships.
Originally, the PSL had cleared space on the calendar for the national side to pick top players for the southern African championship that was to be held in Botswana from September 18-28.
But the Cosafa tournament has since been postponed because of a lack of a sponsor. While efforts are being made to find a new backer and possibly host it later on in the year, the PSL has switched its programme to make sure clubs have a consistent run of fixtures.
Consequently, all matches that were due to be played on Tuesday, September 16 and the next day have been moved to the weekend of September 26-28.
It is a significant change because it means that the two clubs who qualify for the MTN8 final on September 20 now have a longer period to prepare without having to play a league game just days before the final.
Orlando Pirates, who look odds on to reach a fifth successive final after winning 2-0 away at Bidvest Wits in the first leg of their semifinal tie, were due to play Chippa United away in Port Elizabeth just three days before the MTN8 final.
Now that match, at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, will be played on Saturday, September 27.
Kaizer Chiefs, who are also fancied to get to the final after beating Platinum Stars 2-0 away on Saturday, were due to host Maritzburg United at Soccer City on September 16. They now play them on September 27.
PSL forced to reshuffle fixtures
THE Premier Soccer League has shifted around its programme for next month to close up the gap in the fixture list left open by the postponement of the Cosafa Senior Championships.
Originally, the PSL had cleared space on the calendar for the national side to pick top players for the southern African championship that was to be held in Botswana from September 18-28.
But the Cosafa tournament has since been postponed because of a lack of a sponsor. While efforts are being made to find a new backer and possibly host it later on in the year, the PSL has switched its programme to make sure clubs have a consistent run of fixtures.
Consequently, all matches that were due to be played on Tuesday, September 16 and the next day have been moved to the weekend of September 26-28.
It is a significant change because it means that the two clubs who qualify for the MTN8 final on September 20 now have a longer period to prepare without having to play a league game just days before the final.
Orlando Pirates, who look odds on to reach a fifth successive final after winning 2-0 away at Bidvest Wits in the first leg of their semifinal tie, were due to play Chippa United away in Port Elizabeth just three days before the MTN8 final.
Now that match, at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, will be played on Saturday, September 27.
Kaizer Chiefs, who are also fancied to get to the final after beating Platinum Stars 2-0 away on Saturday, were due to host Maritzburg United at Soccer City on September 16. They now play them on September 27.