Questions have been asked as to whether the Betway Premiership 2025/26 season will restart earlier than scheduled after Bafana Bafana’s premature exit from Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.
The short answer is NO.
The Betway Premiership season ended on 7 December 2025 and is due to restart on Tuesday, 20 January 2026.
The early December break was to give Bafana Bafana – and it’s heavily local-based squad – ample time to prepare for AFCON 2025 which kicked off on 21 December.
Unscheduled break
However, after their 2-1 defeat to Cameroon in Rabat on Sunday evening, Bafana Bafana’s squad members will now enjoy an unscheduled two-week break.
Had Bafana Bafana gone on to reach the AFCON 2025 final on Sunday, 18 January, that would’ve afforded the players just two days’ off.
In fact, had Bafana Bafana reached the title match, there’s every likelihood the resumption of the domestic season would’ve been pushed back.
The extra time off for players to recover from nagging injuries will be welcomed by several PSL sides, none more so than Orlando Pirates who provided the vast majority of players in the Bafana Bafana squad.
Abuzz with speculation
Social media was abuzz with speculation on Monday following Hugo Broos’s side’s exit at the hands of the Indomitable Lions.
@SoccerBuzzZA:
“Now that Bafana Bafana are out of AFCON, will the Betway Premiership restart earlier?”
@FootyInsiderSA:
“Why should the PSL wait if there’s no national team involvement anymore?”
@MzansiMatchday:
“Can the league resume immediately since AFCON is no longer affecting local players?”
@GoalTalk24:
“Is the Betway Premiership schedule changing after Bafana’s exit?”
@PSLWatchdog:
“Will clubs get back to action sooner now that AFCON is done for SA?”
@SAFootballNow:
“Any official word from the PSL on bringing fixtures forward?”
UPCOMING BETWAY PREMIERSHIP FIXTURES
Tuesday, 20 January
Kaizer Chiefs vs Golden Arrows – 19:30
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Orbit College – 19:30
Sekhukhune United vs Stellenbosch FC – 19:30