Orlando Pirates' trophy hunt for the remainder of this season is running the risk of turning the conclusion of their 2024/25 season into chaos when they return for the home stretch.
Pirates welcome Mamelodi Sundowns to FNB Stadium on Sunday (15:30), which will be their last game before the FIFA break (March 17-25).
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Upon the return to club football after the international break, Pirates will have just under nine weeks to play what could add up to 19 matches.
Of those 19, there will be 11 guaranteed in the Betway Premiership, plus at least one in the Nedbank Cup, and at least two in the CAF Champions League.
The minimal will be 14, while the maximum will be 19 to play with all those matches compressed between April 1 and June 1.
June 2-10 will be a FIFA calendar date.
Pirates' first game after the March international break will be a long trip to Algiers to face MC Alger in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals on April 1.
This will come with travelling on the weekend of March 29-30 after the return of Sipho Chaine, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Relebohile Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi, Thalente Mbatha, and Deon Hotto from national duty.
After the trip to Algiers, the PSL fixture has the Soweto giants lined up for a trip to the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium to play Polokwane City on April 6.
That league match could either be moved a day earlier or postponed as Bucs play the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on April 8.
After that, they will play Marumo Gallants in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup on the weekend of April 12-13.
From there, there will be 10 league matches (if Polokwane match happens), while further progress in the Champions League and Nedbank Cup will depend on the outcome of matches against MC Alger and Gallants.
The two semi-final dates for the Champions League are April 18/19 and April 25/26, while the final is pencilled in for May 24 and June 1.
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For the Nedbank Cup, the final is scheduled for May 10.
The unresolved case of Royal AM – who have all their games suspended until further notice – has created further complications for the domestic calendar.