Swallows make room for AFL by agreeing to new Sundowns date

The reigning league champions progressed to the semifinals of the inaugural continental competition involving eight teams picked based on their CAF ranking when they beat Petro de Luanda 2-0 over two legs. 

Sundowns have now set up a tasty tie against Egyptian giants Al Ahly on Sunday, the day they were supposed to face Swallows in a match they had begun discussions to postpone if they were still playing in the AFL. 

According to information gathered by SABC Sport, the Dube Birds were never opposed to assisting Downs in managing their demanding calendar even when the Premier Soccer League (PSL) hierarchy was opposed to the launch of the AFL, citing a lack of information about the competition. 

However, following a U-turn two weeks after a Board of Governors [BOG] meeting to prohibit Downs from being one of the eight teams, the PSL caved. 

The first fixture adjusted was their Carling Knockout Cup opening round away to TS Galaxy in Nelspruit, which was bizarrely scheduled within the FIFA break this month – and with the Brazilians missing 10 players due to Bafana Bafana call-ups and injuries, it’s no surprise they were eliminated, albeit on penalties. 

It’s understood now that Swallows have tentatively agreed to meet Sundowns at either Loftus Stadium or Lucas Moripe Stadium on 27 December with this weekend’s game now officially postponed. 

The second leg against Ahly in Cairo will not be an issue given Sundowns have been booted out of the Carling Knockout Cup, which returns with a full list of quarterfinal games next weekend.