Mamelodi Sundowns' outstanding Nedbank Cup fixture could disrupt their CAF Champions League ambitions and favour their opponents, and by extension, Kaizer Chiefs.
Sundowns' home Nedbank Cup quarterfinal fixture against Sekhukhune, which was scheduled for the previous weekend, was postponed due to double-booking chaos at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.
With the FIFA break on next week and the Champions League quarterfinals almost afterwards, the Tshwane giants are sweating for the domestic cup game not to be rescheduled to before or in the middle of their two-legged affair against Esperance.
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As things stand, they will play their last game before the FIFA break against Orlando Pirates on Sunday and are supposed to resume with a clash against the Tunisian giants on Tuesday, 1 April.
However, with the team not yet scheduled for the weekend of 29-30 March (after the FIFA break), head coach Miguel Cardoso is fearful the PSL should not put the match against Babina Noko that weekend, as it will put them at a disadvantage against his former team.
"Obviously with the fixture that is so congested, where are we gonna play matches now? We will continue to play with big responsibility, eventually even in other competitions," Cardoso said during a press conference after their win over AmaZulu FC.
"There's Champions League, obviously it's not nice to imagine that this match might be played close to a Champions League match.
"I understand Esperance play tomorrow (on Wednesday) and from here to our match they will not play more."
Cardoso explained the importance of facing Esperance without any fixture before 1 April.
"That would allow, firstly, to avoid more injuries, recover 100 percent the players and then compete in the Champions League in the highest level.
"Obviously our expectations was we will play on Sunday against Pirates and after Sunday, then to prepare the Champions League match with the right context," he said.
It highly likely that Cardoso's fears will come true, as The Brazilians have a league game against Stellenbosch FC on April 5, in between the two legs of their clash against Esperance.
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With the second leg on 9 April, the PSL cannot afford to put their Nedbank Cup quarterfinal fixture after that, as the semi-finals are scheduled for the weekend of 12 and 13 April.
Should Sundowns play the Limpopo side the weekend before their Champions League encounter, that scenario will suit Sekhukhune, and to an extent, Chiefs, should Eric Tinkler's men get the advantage (and progress) of playing against a weakened side, who would obviously prioritize the Champions League on 1 April.