While the PSL action has paused to allow the spotlight to shine on Afcon 2012, local teams are keeping boredom at bay with a bouquet of activities.

Players last kicked a ball in anger in league action on December 21 and will resume hostilities when the second round kicks off on February 15.

Gordon Igesund and Swallows are killing time with training matches against foreign opponents. The Birds played Bridge FC of Nigeria on Thursday, winning 3-1. They have a date with Gabarone United on Wednesday and meet Ivory Coast outfit Totodru FC the following day.

"We want to maintain our competitive edge. We can play against an NFD side and beat them 10-0 and think we are world champs. But that won't help us."

Swallows wrap up their programme with a clash against an unnamed Mozambique side on February 6 ahead of hosting Santos at the Dobsonville Stadium.

While coaches such as Gavin Hunt loathe the long break, Igesund and Muhsin Ertugral says it is a blessing in disguise. "It's good because we have a small squad of 25 - three goalkeepers and 22 in field. In our situation, you get a headache when you lose three key players to injury or suspension," said Igesund.

"Joseph Makhanya, David Mathebula and Bennett "Okapi" Chenene were out injured just before the break and now they are back to full fitness."

Down in Durban, Lamontville Golden Arrows are being whipped into shape by fitness trainer Elsa Storm as coach Ertugral wants them in tip-top condition when they resume the campaign away to Bloemfontein Celtic at Seisa Ramabodu Stadium.

Ertugral arrived at Arrows last October and "found a team lacking in fitness, weak in defensive organisation and who'd conceded the most goals. This break has given us five to six weeks to work on our physical and tactical strengths.. It's a blessing because I didn't have a pre-season with the team."

Ertugral is happy to be reunited with Clifford Ngobeni and Siphelele Mthembu, who joined from Pirates this week. Ngobeni won rookie of the season under Ertugral at Ajax Cape Town, and the coach briefly worked with Mthembu at Kaizer Chiefs.

Ajax had a week-long trip inland last week in which they were at one with the people of Daveyton. "The idea," said team spokesman Shoes Mekuto, "was to prepare at altitude. We have nine away games that are all inland - five in Johannesburg, two in Pretoria, one in Polokwane and one in Rustenburg."

Ajax, who used Daveyton's Sinaba Stadium as their training base, drew 2-2 with Bidvest Wits at Sturrock Park last week, with Lebo Manyama and Brent Carelse scoring for the Urban Warriors. They will warm up for their first league fixture against Platinum Stars with games against Zambian opponents Red Arrows and Zasco United on February 3 and 5 respectively.