The PSL will watch proceedings of Mamelodi Sundowns’ semi-final second leg with interest as their fixtures suggest they are bargaining on a result that will suit the completion of their domestic programme.
Sundowns have been left with the most congested fixtures schedule ever seen and will have played nine games in 28 days at the end of Friday.
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Then from Monday, they must play five matches in 13 days against TS Galaxy (April 29), Kaizer Chiefs (May 2), Stellenbosch FC in the Nedbank Cup semis (May 5), Royal AM (May 7) and Royal AM again (May 11).
After that, their fixtures will depend on what happens on Friday night at Loftus Versfeld against Esperance.
Should they get past Esperance, then the dates of the games against Stellenbosch (May 18) and Cape Town City (May 25) will have to be changed, which will shake the rest of the league in matters relating to finalisation of the DStv Premiership standings.
Those two dates (May 18 and May 25) have been set aside for the two legs of the CAF Champions League final.
If Sundowns go through to the final, then they will have a trip to either Lubumbashi (TP Mazembe) or Cairo (Al Ahly).
The PSL has so far kept their schedule for The Brazilians league games on May 18 and May 25, which suggests that they are bargaining on Sundowns not reaching the final.
From May 11 after the second game against Royal AM, Sundowns will still have four league games to play – three of which will have to find new dates if Rulani Mokwena and his crew play the Champions League final.
Will Sundowns be again forced to play midweek league games ahead of the Champions League final like has been the case in the quarterfinals and semis if the league season is to be completed before June?
The PSL had originally planned to end the season on May 25 with all 16 teams playing their last two games on the same day and same time.
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However, that plan has already been thrown out of the window with Sundowns now due to play TS Galaxy on May 28.
June 1 has been allocated for the Nedbank Cup final, which could also feature Sundowns and after that the next FIFA calendar break (June 3-11) comes into effect.
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