South African football supporters are set to witness only two more rounds of Absa Premiership action before the end of 2015, on November 21-22 and December 18-20.
This is because of the current FIFA recess, which runs from November 9 to 17, as well as the Premier Soccer League’s decision to halt all domestic fixtures while the national U-23 side participates in the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations. The competition, also known as the 8 Nations Tournament, is taking place in Senegal from November 28 to December 12.
“For us I think this break possibly comes at the right time because we haven’t had a break like everyone else,” says Tinkler, whose side have been active since the start of last season due to CAF commitments.
“We’ve been going through two straight seasons now and we’ve still got the Confederations Cup, which is my biggest concern at the moment.”
Meanwhile, the Bucs will be represented by Thamsanqa Gabuza, Mpho Makola and Thabo Matlaba in Bafana Bafana’s upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifier against Angola, and Tinkler admits concern over the trio’s return just two days before their first-leg home clash against Etoile on November 21.
“My other concern is that I’ve got players only arriving [back from the national team] on the Friday, a day before the game [against Etoile], which is a massive concern.”
Pirates’ return leg of the Confed Cup Final will be played at the Stade Olympique de Sousse on Sunday, November 29.