Colombian boosted Sundowns, and stability-seeking Chiefs, primed for earlier PSL restart

The PSL Betway Premiership will resume earlier than initially scheduled, with fixtures starting next Monday rather than the previously planned Tuesday.

This shift follows Bafana Bafana’s early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Morocco, enabling a swift return to domestic football.

Following a disappointing 2-1 round-of-16 loss to Cameroon, the national team has returned home earlier than expected, giving local clubs a two-week window to recover before the competitive resumption.

The unplanned break is particularly timely for teams such as Orlando Pirates, which boasts a significant representation in the national squad.

The rest period allows players to recover from chronic injuries, ensuring they are fit for upcoming league matches.

Sundowns’ fixture change against newly promoted Orbit College, from Tuesday to Monday, is a strategic adjustment ahead of their African Champions League encounter against Al Hilal of Sudan on Friday, January 23.

This change not only gives Sundowns players additional time to rest but also offers an opportunity to recalibrate and refocus as they prepare for major continental competitions.

Excitement continues to swirl around Sundowns’ training camp on Monday morning with the arrival of Colombian forward Brayan León, who has signed after leaving Independiente Medellín.

The introduction of León promises to provide a fresh dynamic to Sundowns’ attack, especially following the departure of Brazilian midfielder Lucas Ribeiro Costa to Cultural Leonesa in Spain. While León may not directly replicate Ribeiro’s goal-scoring prowess, his distinctive skill set is likely to enhance team cohesion and ball distribution.

As speculation grows on how he will fit into the existing structure, fans are excited about León’s potential impact and how his play style might complement the team’s strategies. His adaptability and footballing vision could offer new tactical variations in Sundowns’ offensive approach, significantly enhancing their competitive edge.

Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs are bracing for a challenging schedule. They host Lamontville Golden Arrows at Soccer City next Tuesday.

This match comes just ahead of their trip to Zambia to face Zesco United on January 25, a crucial clash in the African Confederation Cup.

A  week later, Chiefs will play Marumo Gallants in Bloemfontein, a game that marks the start of a hectic sequence of fixtures.

As the club navigates through this busy period, stability remains at the forefront of its strategy. Chiefs manager Bobby Motaung has addressed ongoing speculation about the future of the coaching staff, stating that the club's focus is on continuity to foster success in the league.

“We want to avoid making unnecessary changes that could unsettle the team,” stated Motaung, reiterating the importance of supporting co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Ben Youssef, who have been instrumental in guiding the team since season commencement.

Motaung’s confidence in their leadership demonstrates a clear commitment to sustainable improvement.

With these exciting developments comes another scheduling change. The KZN derby between Richards Bay and Golden Arrows has been moved forward to Friday, January 30, at 19:30 to accommodate the league’s TV demands.