The history created by Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, and Stellenbosch FC progressing to the semifinals of CAF club competitions has put a threat to the completion of the Betway Premiership season.
Sundowns and Pirates are through to the last four of the Champions League, while Stellenbosch plays at the same stage in the Confederation Cup.
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This then means whatever domestic league match was scheduled to be played on the CAF semis dates will have to make way.
Sundowns play Al Ahly in Pretoria on April 18, before the long trip to Cairo, Egypt for the second leg on April 25.
Pirates will also play on the same dates, starting at Orlando, before they also travel to Cairo for their date against Pyramids.
The two legs of the final will then be on May 23 and May 31.
Stellies meet Simba in Tanzania on April 19 and then play the second leg in Cape Town on April 26.
If Steve Barker’s men go through, then May 16 and May 24 will be booked for the final against either CS Constantine from Algeria or RS Berkane of Morocco.
This means upon landing back from Cairo, they have another trip to Dar es Salaam and will only likely play again locally after the second leg.
For Sundowns, they will play against Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup semis on Sunday, aiming to be in the final on May 10.
After Sunday’s game, the Tshwane giants have Al Ahly next week Friday, after which they travel to Cairo and upon their return will still be having seven (which becomes six minus the Royal AM game) league games to play within five weeks.
What will cause complications is if they reach the finals of the Champions League (May 23 and May 31) and Nedbank Cup (May 10).
The Brazilians will then depart for the Club World Cup in USA from June 14-July 13 after the June FIFA dates (June 2-10).
Pirates’ challenge is worse as they have 10 league games to play, plus similar commitments in the Nedbank Cup and Champions League and cannot play a league match until after they return from Egypt.
Upon landing in Johannesburg from Cairo, Bucs have Magesi FC on April 30 and then the Soweto Derby on May 3.
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For the rest of May, they will then have to complete their league fixtures (down to seven by then minus Royal AM fixture) and possibly play in the finals of the Nedbank Cup and Champions League.
The unresolved case of Royal AM – who have all their games suspended until further notice – has created further chaos for the domestic calendar.
