This might sound bizarre, but Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns might have to wait until next year to play a Betway Premiership home match on a weekend.
What will necessitate this will be both clubs reaching the group stages of the CAF Champions League.
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Pirates host Disciples of Madagascar in the second leg of their first qualifying round on Friday (19:30), hoping to progress to the next round that sets them up against either Namibian club African Stars or Jwaneng Galaxy from Botswana in the second round.
Sundowns have a bye into the second round and await the winner of the match between Mbabane Swallows (Eswatini) and Ferroviario de Beira (Mozambique).
This second round – the last qualifying stage before the group stages – takes place on the weekends of September 13-15 and 20-22.
With CAF games getting preference when dates clash, it is for this reason that Sundowns will not play their season-opening home game against SuperSport United on Saturday, September 14 at Loftus Versfeld.
That Tshwane Derby will be pushed to Tuesday, September 17.
Should The Brazilians get into the group stages of the Champions League, then the effect is that they will only play their first home league match on a Saturday/Sunday next year.
This fixture will be against Royal AM at Loftus Versfeld on January 4, 2025, with kick-off set for 17:30.
Then should Pirates also get into the group stages, then it could be an even longer wait that will only come to an end when they host Kaizer Chiefs on February 1.
Being the blockbuster Soweto Derby, it will take place at FNB Stadium instead of Orlando.
This will then leave the match against Richards Bay FC on Sunday, February 9 as the first that they play on a weekend at their home – Orlando Stadium.
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Just like Sundowns, Pirates have a home match against Chippa United on Saturday, September 14 (17:30), but it will be moved to the following Wednesday if Bucs get past Disciples in the first round of the Champions League.
The consequence of Pirates getting into the group stages of the Champions League will be no home league match on a Saturday/Sunday until next February.