Mamelodi Sundowns in talks to move PSL fixtures for African Football League
11th October 2023
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SABC Sport understands Mamelodi Sundowns are in talks with their DStv Premiership rival clubs to move fixtures to accommodate their participation in the African Football League later this month.
The latest developments suggest the Premier Soccer League is then likely to cave on its resolution along with the Board of Governors [BOG, made up by all 32 member clubs] not to give Sundowns the greenlight to play in the newly established continental competition, believed to be FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s brainchild.
As reported by the public broadcaster two weeks ago, it emerged the PSL had convened an urgent BOG meeting to discuss – and vote against – Downs being involved in the AFL.
It was the same week CAF confirmed a whopping R75-million as the prize money for the winners with Sundowns scheduled to face Angolan giants Petro de Luanda over two legs. The first match is away on 21 October.
Yesterday, the league launched the Carling Knockout and the Brazilians were drawn to face TS Galaxy that same weekend, although the official dates and venues have not yet been confirmed.
Talks are ongoing now to see how possible it is to make room for postponements – and another match being targeted is the 29 October clash against Moroka Swallows at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Should Downs progress further in the AFL, the expectations is that more games would then have to be moved, and this is among the biggest concerns with not enough free dates as well as the fact that the PSL will go on recess during the Africa Cup of Nations in January next year.
When SABC Sport asked coach Rulani Mokwena whether there was any clarity on the saga, he again claimed to still be in the dark.
“I don’t have much on that because I think we were waiting for the draw and the official fixtures from Premier Soccer League – so, no update as of yet," Mokwena responded when asked about the possibility of splitting his squad for domestic and continental assignments.
"We have to go game by game and every team we line-out is the strongest. You have seen from the games we have played so far and reached the final [MTN8] and that’s because we have depth in the team and complement has to go to the club with the transfers made to put together such a strong squad."
The PSL had initially rejected the idea of Sundowns using two squads, but this could change depending on the current discussions.
But there’s no formal response just yet.
