Bucs and Ajax have heavy fixture load to shoulder

16 November 2015 - 02:14 By Nick Said

International breaks, knockout competitions and fixture postponements mean it will be a packed second half of the Premier Soccer League season from January, but for the likes of Orlando Pirates and Ajax Cape Town the load could take them near breaking point. Unless the PSL squeeze in more fixtures before the end of this year, Pirates will have played just 10 of their 30 league games by what is usually the midway point of the season.That leaves them with an astonishing 20 to play between January and the end of May.And if they are victorious in the CAF Confederations Cup final against Etoile du Sahel this month, they will be entered into that competition again next season, which means a potential eight more fixtures before the campaign ends.Should Eric Tinkler's men progress to the final of the Nedbank Cup, you can add five more games to that list, taking their total number of matches to be played to 33 in 139 days - a game every four or so days.Ajax are in the same boat, having already been entered into the Confederations Cup following their runners-up place in the Nedbank Cup.Having postponed their matches against Platinum Stars and Lamontville Golden Arrows in the wake of the death of defender Cecil Lolo last month, Ajax will also end the year having played 10 of their 30 league games. They potentially have eight games in the Confederations Cup and five in the Nedbank Cup.All teams will make a fast start to the New Year, with Orlando Pirates set to play 10 league matches in the seven weeks to the end of February...

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