Champions Mamelodi Sundowns have had their Betway Premiership clash against Chippa United brought forward to Good Friday to ease the load on their fixture schedule as they continue their bid to win this season’s African Champions League.
Ordinarily, this coming weekend is reserved for the Nedbank Cup semifinals, and the Premier Soccer League has long had a policy of not playing league matches on cup weekends to ensure maximum exposure and mileage for the sponsors.
But in the wake of criticism over the congested calendar from Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, the match against Chippa now goes ahead on Friday at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
Midweek mood unlocked. Bafana Ba Style return to the #BetwayPrem under the Loftus lights this Friday. 💪🔥
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 1, 2026
🎟️ Grab your tickets here: https://t.co/wdrsOZGnJy and stand a chance to drive away in a Chery Tiggo 4 Pro LiT.#Sundowns #AreyengMasandawana pic.twitter.com/gAObXjvt76
But Cardoso’s complaint about postponing domestic fixtures in the week leading up to a key Champions League tie has not been heeded because Sundowns must also play next Tuesday, April 7, against Durban City away at Chatsworth Stadium.
After that, they will depart for Tunis, where they take on Esperance in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal tie on Sunday, April 12.
All the matches will be live on SuperSport.
Friday’s clash against Chippa gives Sundowns the opportunity to regain the leadership of the league standings. They are one point behind Orlando Pirates on 50 points but have a game in hand.
Pirates play next on Tuesday when they host Lamontville Golden Arrows in Soweto.
Chippa are in peril, only two points above the relegation zone, and have not won in their last four league games.