Clubs sneak in training as PSL stops for U-23s

24 November 2015 - 02:15 By Mark Gleeson

A holiday is on the cards for some of the Premier Soccer League clubs this week as the first hiatus in the season begins. The next games are in only a month's time as the PSL stops to allow a full-strength South African side to travel to the African Under-23 Championship in Senegal.Having just come from a fortnight's break for international matches, PSL clubs face this interval and another just before Christmas.It has prompted a variety of different responses - from rest to business as usual.PSL log leaders Bidvest Wits have told their players to take this week off in lieu of the Christmas holidays.Players must report back next Monday, and although they will be off on Christmas and Boxing Day, as well as a few days around the new year, they will train through the rest of the festive season.Also given time off this week are Mamelodi Sundowns, Mpumalanga Black Aces and SuperSport United, while the University of Pretoria, who did not play at the weekend, had time off last week.Kaizer Chiefs will be back at work on Wednesday as they look ahead to the Telkom Knockout final against Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on December 16.But others return to training on Tuesday and face three weeks of hard work before playing again.This is the case for Bloemfontein Celtic, Chippa United and Maritzburg United, who had Monday off, but are back on Tuesday morning."In our position we can't afford time off. There are a lot of things we need to work on," said Quinton Jettoo, Maritzburg United's team manager.Orlando Pirates will have no holiday as they head to Tunisia for the second leg of the African Confederation Cup final on Sunday. Pirates and Étoile du Sahel drew 1-1 in the first leg of the final on Saturday.Julio Leal, the new coach at Polokwane City, will use this week to take a good look at his squad.The club made a winning start under Leal on Saturday, beating Platinum Stars...

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