Ntombekhaya Zibi
Carling Black Label SA have confirmed on twitter that the 2020 edition of the Champions Cup Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates has been cancelled.
This comes after the 2019/20 season was suspended for five months during the beginning of the nationwide lockdown because of Covid-19 , forcing the PSL to make alternative arrangements through the biologically safe environment.
The annual pre-season game, that allows supporters to vote for their preferred starting line-ups, is usually held in July as a curtain raiser to the start of the new season.
However, with the current circumstances we find ourselves in with the coronavirus, the sponsors have had to cut their losses as the entire domestic calendar has been shifted for next season.
The current campaign, including the Nedbank Cup finals and promotion/relegation play-offs, is scheduled to end in mid-September, with the 2020/21 season kick-off targeted for October 9.
This leaves clubs with a drastically shortened “pre-season” and no room for massive events, such as friendly games that require extensive planning and logistics.
The restriction on fans in the stadium is perhaps another factor considered in Carling’s decision to cut the innovative showpiece.
Chiefs and Pirates will now have one less meeting this year after their Carling fixture was called off.
