Footballers Factory official calls out PSL fixture imbalance between Mamelodi Sundowns and Buccaneers – ‘At the end, Orlando Pirates will suffer tremendously’

Mamelodi Sundowns lead the league standings with 51 points, while Orlando Pirates trail with 36 but have four games in hand. Both teams are competing in the league, Nedbank Cup, and Caf Champions League but the number of days in between Masandawana games has raised concerns.

Interestingly, they avoided each other in the quarterfinals, meaning a potential all-South African final remains a possibility in the continental tournament.

Former Sundowns midfielder shared his thoughts with GOAL, stating that Pirates' fixture backlog could backfire as they will have to play catch-up later.

He emphasized that having games in hand doesn’t guarantee points. Sundowns, on the other hand, continue to extend their lead, making it harder for their rivals to close the gap. This scenario adds pressure on the Buccaneers as they navigate a tight schedule.

“This situation is looking very bad for the PSL. It means the best league in Africa cannot plan. This also includes the hanging issue with Royal AM," Ndzuzo, who is the founder of Footballers Factory (FF), a non-profit organisation, told GOAL.

He expressed concern over the scheduling imbalance between Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, despite both teams competing in the PSL, CAF Champions League, and Nedbank Cup.

“The fact that Sundowns have played so many games is very unfair, and it’s getting out of hand. The league doesn’t seem to be fixing this situation. Soon, the Champions League will start, and Sundowns haven’t had much rest, while Pirates are resting,” he added.

Looking ahead, he warned that Pirates could also struggle later in the season. “At the end, Pirates will suffer tremendously because they will still need to play all these games.”

As Masandawana continue to dominate and widen the gap at the top, Pirates will need to play catch-up while managing their packed schedule. Miguel Cardoso’s team remains consistent, collecting points to make the title race even tougher for Jose Riveiro’s side.

Pirates have seen games postponed, including their clashes with Royal AM due to a SARS dispute and Golden Arrows due to a waterlogged pitch and this has caused the backlog of fixtures.

Riveiro has acknowledged that the true difference between the two teams will only be clear after all 30 league games are completed. The fixture congestion could prove challenging for Pirates as they aim to keep pace with Sundowns.

Mamelodi Sundowns will aim to extend their lead further when they face arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the highly anticipated Gauteng Derby. They head into the clash full of confidence after their convincing win over Sekhukhune United.

However, they will have to cope with suspensions, as key players Ronwen Williams, Aubrey Modiba and Dennis Onyango are unavailable.

Chiefs, on the other hand, will look to take advantage of Sundowns' absences and fatigue and will also be missing Gaston Sirino. The encounter promises to be a thrilling battle as both teams seek crucial points in the title race.