The Premier Soccer League has agreed to postpone matches in mid-March to aid Bafana Bafana in preparation of their crucial away Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.
South Africa must avoid defeat when they face their north African counterparts in their final group match to progress to the Afcon in Egypt later this year, and national team coach Stuart Baxter – through his employers SAFA – had asked for more time with the players.
The trip to Libya is scheduled for the weekend of March 22 at a venue still to be decided. It is now likely that the PSL will shift Absa Premiership matches that had been arranged for the weekend before and maybe even some of the earlier midweek fixtures close to Bafana's crucial game.
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Bafana are currently second behind Group E leaders Nigeria, who have already qualified for the Afcon, and a draw away to Libya will be enough for Baxter's men to book their place at the tournament in June.
SAFA conveys gratitude to the NSL for Bafana Bafana support https://t.co/30CJWmwPUX via @SAFA_net @BafanaBafana @OfficialPSL @Banyana_Banyana #2019afconQ
— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) January 30, 2019
"When I started my job as national team coach, I always preached cooperation among stakeholders, and this is proof that when we come together we can do what's best for the nation," Baxter said in a statement.
"With all the preparations already in place, we know just how difficult it was for the PSL and the clubs to accede to our request, and we are eternally grateful for this gesture as it means a lot."
Despite the congested schedule, the PSL has agreed to the request in principle.
