Zimbabwe’s qualification for the 2017 African Nations Cup in Gabon next month puts further pressure on an already constrained 2016/17 South Africa ABSA Premier Soccer League season.

South African website Kickoff.com reports that with Bafana Bafana having failed to reach the finals there was the possibility that the PSL would scrap the January/February break for the continental finals, opening up match days early in the New Year.

The Warriors have a number of players at PSL clubs, Mamelodi Sundowns duo of Khama Billiat and Cuthbert Malajila, Orlando Pirates’ Tendai Ndoro, Evans Rusike of Maritzburg United, Wits’ Onismo Bhasera and Willard Katsande of Kaizer Chiefs. Their visit to Gabon for the finals means these clubs could all lose key players over that period.

That does not take into account what transfers may happen in the next two windows, but it is clear the PSL will be seriously affected. There will even be more problems for the PSL as Champions Mamelodi Sundowns are also in the group stages of the hectic Africa Champions league programme.

The South African PSL had been considering not breaking for the Nations Cup tournament, as it has for previous finals, due to the likelihood of Bafana qualifying being slim. Now it has transpired they are out of the running.

Previous plans had the league halting for Christmas and New Year but resuming in the second week of January. This is because there is already a congestion problem with the 2016/17 season scheduled to start one month later than usual because of South Africa’s participation at the Olympic Games.