The Premier Soccer League have changed the kick-off times of two DStv Diski Challenge fixtures in Durban on Saturday to accommodate Bafana Bafana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Benin in the same city.
The PSL initially scheduled two matches between Moroka Swallows and Golden Arrows at 13:00 and SuperSport United against Orlando Pirates at 15:00 – with both of them played at Princess Magogo Stadium, on Saturday.
The latter match was going to clash with Bafana’s World Cup qualifying match against Benin at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, also on Saturday at 15:00.
It is believed that SAFA were not pleased when they saw the Durban DDC games clashing with Bafana, and requested the PSL shift the games, which the league has since done.
“This was a FIFA break, they are not supposed to be matches taking place of any kind,” a source told iDiski Times.
The first game of Swallows and Arrows will now take place at 10:00 and the second game of SuperSport and Pirates is now at 12:00.
But the FIFA break often doesn’t affect junior games, while certain leagues like the Major League Soccer or the Chinese Super League are also continuing to play during international windows.
In previous breaks, DDC matches also took place and it wasn’t an issue, but the decision to have this weekend’s games in Durban at the same time as Bafana, has seemingly ravelled a few feathers.
But the league showed its goodwill to move the fixtures to avoid another clash between the two South African football bodies, who have often don’t seen eye to eye, which many feel it is hampering the football in the country.