Continental action has kept Orlando Pirates out of PSL action for more than a week.
On 1 September, the Premiership champions crushed Kruger United 4-0 at the Mbombela Stadium.
Since then, attention has turned to the CAF Champions League qualifiers.
With another clash with La Cure Waves coming up this weekend, here’s when Pirates will next play in the PSL.
Buccaneers aiming for CAF CL place
As reported by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the First Preliminary Round of the Champions League qualifiers moves into the return legs this week.
Among the most surprising results was Mauritian debutants La Cure Waves holding Pirates to a goalless draw on 6 September.
The Buccaneers will host the minnows for the second leg at the Orlando Stadium on 12 September.
As reported by Goal, La Cure Waves coach Jerome Thomas is bracing his team for ‘fierce backlash’ in Soweto.
“Orlando Pirates have had their pride wounded and will come out looking to hurt us in front of their home crowd.”
Should the PSL champions get the job done at home, as expected, they will face the winner of Namibia’s African Stars and Gabon’s AS Mangasport in the next preliminary round.
Mangasport head into their second-leg clash ahead 3-1 on aggregate.
This would be a far tougher clash for Pirates, on paper, facing one of the most successful Gabonese domestic outfits.
When will Pirates return to PSL action?
Once their continental duties are settled, Pirates need to pivot to domestic competition.
Their match against Durban City FC, originally scheduled for 16 September, has been moved to 17 September instead.
The match will take place at Orlando Stadium at 19:30, according to the PSL website.
This adjustment gives Pirates a bit of breathing room and also hints at their tight schedule across three competitions this season.
Fixture congestion is the reason the club’s signings could be the difference this term.
For the 2026/2027 campaign, the likes of Bheki Mabuza, Ghampani Lungu, Neo Rapoo, Sebastian Pedersen, and Mthetheleli Mthiyane have added depth across defence and midfield.
At the least, this would give coach Abdeslam Ouaddou options to rotate his squad.
With Pirates balancing continental and domestic aspirations, he needs to keep players fresh, with Mamelodi Sundowns looming.
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