Kaizer Chiefs have asked the Premier Soccer League to postpone their match against Mamelodi Sundowns, due to be played two days after the end of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The match is set for February 12 at Loftus and Chiefs are arguing that with seven players in the tournament, they would be severely disadvantaged if their players were only to return to the side 48 hours before such a key game.
They have written a letter to this effect to the Premier Soccer League but it all depends on whether South Africa make it past the first round of the tournament and the quarterfinals, which are set for February 1.
If Bafana make it to the last four, then they stay until the end of the tournament, even if they are defeated in the semifinals. The losers play in the third-place play-off match in Port Elizabeth on February 9, a day before the final at Soccer City.
Chiefs have the biggest representation at the tournament of any of the PSL clubs.
Siboniso Gaxa, Itumeleng Khune, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Lehlohonolo Majoro, Tsepo Masilela, Bernard Parker and Siphiwe Tshabalala have been chosen for the national team.
Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane, questioned the timing of the key match just two days after the Nations Cup before his team went off on their Christmas break, and said he was adopting a wait-and-see attitude.
Sundowns have only two players at the tournament - Katlego Mphela and Wayne Sandilands - but they, too, are key to the club's hopes of reviving its fortunes.
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