PSL Fixture Shift Opens Door for Suspended Mokoena’s Return vs Orlando Pirates

The Premier Soccer League’s reshuffled fixture list has handed Teboho Mokoena an unexpected boost, clearing the path for the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder to be available for selection against Orlando Pirates in what will be his first meeting with the Buccaneers this season.

Sundowns will now play at least two competitive matches before their next league clash with Pirates, a fixture that has been pushed to 18 February at 19:30.

The champions resume their campaign on Monday against Orbit College FC, before travelling to Sekhukhune United on 27 January. They are also set to feature in the Nedbank Cup Last 32, expected to fall on 10 February, further padding out the calendar before their trip to Orlando.

This updated schedule plays perfectly into Mokoena’s hands. The midfielder must serve a two-match suspension after being sent off in Sundowns’ last outing against Marumo Gallants, but he will now complete the ban before the blockbuster league showdown in Soweto.

It’s his second domestic suspension of the season. The 28-year-old previously sat out a match after accumulating four yellow cards, missing the league fixture against Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side earlier in the campaign.

While Sundowns have four CAF Champions League fixtures lined up before the Pirates encounter, those continental matches do not count toward Mokoena’s suspension, which applies strictly to PSL-run competitions.

All signs now point to Mokoena being back in the heart of midfield when the defending champions lock horns with their fiercest rivals next month.