Orlando Pirates will have to watch from the sidelines this week as their CAF Champions League commitments keep them out of the Betway Premiership, a development that could prove costly in their early-season title defence.
The Buccaneers had made a strong start to their league campaign and were sitting at the summit of the Premiership standings, but their involvement in continental football has disrupted their domestic programme.
Pirates were last in league action on September 1, when they thrashed Kruger United 4-0, strengthening their position at the top of the table.
They will now have to wait until their next scheduled league fixture before they can attempt to reclaim the initiative.
The break comes at a potentially difficult time for the Soweto giants, as their rivals continue collecting league points while they concentrate on their CAF Champions League campaign.
Mamelodi Sundowns have already taken advantage of Pirates’ absence by moving above them on the league table, opening a three-point lead.
The Brazilians also have two games in hand over Pirates, meaning they could stretch their advantage to as much as six points should they win both matches.
That could leave Pirates with an early deficit to overcome when they return to domestic action.
The Buccaneers’ immediate priority, however, remains their continental campaign, where they are balancing the demands of representing South Africa in Africa with their ambitions of retaining the Betway Premiership title.
Pirates are scheduled to return to league action against Durban City on September 17, giving them an opportunity to get their title campaign back on track.
Until then, the Buccaneers will have to rely on their strong start to the season while keeping a close eye on Sundowns and the other teams chasing them at the top of the table.
For Pirates, the key will be ensuring that their CAF commitments do not come at the expense of their domestic ambitions. With Sundowns gaining ground, every league point could become increasingly important as the season progresses.