The highly-anticipated Betway Premiership showdown between Mamelodi
Sundowns and Orlando Pirates is likely to be postponed due to an
unmanageable fixture clash.
The match, originally scheduled for 31 January, is set to be rescheduled as
it falls just one day after Sundowns face Sudanese side Al Hilal in a CAF
Champions League encounter on 30 January. The less than 24-hour turnaround
between the two high-stakes matches has raised significant concerns over
player welfare and competitive fairness.
Sources close to the situation confirm that the fixture is expected to be
moved to a later date. The congested schedule, driven by Sundowns’
continental commitments, makes it impractical for the squad to compete at
full intensity against Pirates immediately after a demanding Champions
League trip.
A postponement is seen as the only viable option to protect the integrity of
one of South African football’s most iconic rivalries. Ensuring both teams
can field their strongest sides under fair conditions is a priority for all
stakeholders, given the match’s frequent implications for the league title.
While a new date has not yet been officially confirmed, it is expected to be
arranged once the CAF calendar allows for adequate player recovery and
preparation.
