By The Numbers: Chiefs top PSL table

Kaizer Chiefs edged out Polokwane City 1-0 in a tightly contested encounter on Wednesday night at FNB Stadium.

New signing Siphesihle Ndlovu emerged as the hero for Chiefs, breaking the deadlock in the 79th minute just when it appeared the match was destined for a stalemate. Both sides were evenly matched in many metrics, suggesting a draw would have been the fairest result.

While Chiefs dominated the possession, the teams shared the load in terms of attempts and quality of chances.

0.51 – xG for Chiefs (0.49 xG for Polokwane)

67% – possession for Chiefs (33% for Polokwane)

11 – shots for Chiefs (12 for Polokwane)

0.65 – xG on target for Chiefs (0.09xG on target for Polokwane)

0.14 – xG added for Chiefs (-0.41 xG “added” for Polokwane)

While xG measures the quality of scoring opportunities, xG on target measures how well or poorly the team added to the opportunities they created. By measuring only shots on target, we can isolate teams that were wasteful in front of goal, and those that made the most of what they created. Chiefs 0.51xG and City’s 0.49xG sound pretty close, but there is a bigger gap in 0.65xG and 0.09xG for the sides. The difference (which we have termed xG added), tells a better story. In this case, it tells how Chiefs were more clinical (although the 1-0 scoreline already shows that).

How the game played out

Chiefs opted for some squad rotation in their starting eleven, knowing there is a potentially long and heavy schedule ahead of them. The opening exchanges saw Polokwane emerge as the more dangerous side with a handful of chances. City’s Brian Bwire demonstrated his worth between the posts to deny Glodly Lilepo on the half-hour mark. Chiefs created the most clear-cut opportunity of the opening period when Lilepo rose magnificently to meet a corner delivery from Sirino, only to see his powerful header crash against the crossbar with ten minutes remaining before the interval. Lilepo remained the most persistent threat for the home side, forcing another excellent save from Bwire with 57 minutes elapsed.

His tireless running and aerial presence consistently troubled the Polokwane defense throughout. Chiefs made subs that would prove decisive, bringing on Pule Mmodi, Siphesihle Ndlovu, and Reeve Frosler. The fresh legs and renewed intensity paid immediate dividends, with all subs involved in the build up to the winner.

Good start for Chiefs

The victory moves Chiefs up the early-season standings to joint-top. Six points from six offers hope that his new-look Chiefs side may be beginning to find its rhythm. But it’s worth notinhg that they started this well last season too, and that was the last time they won back-to-back league games. Except this time, they have a better defence too.

6 – points for Chiefs aftre two games (same as last season)

10 – seasons where Chiefs started with six points from six

0 – goals conceded by Chiefs after two games (their best defensive start in 10 years)

5 – seasons where Chiefs started with two clean sheets in two games

September 2020 – the last time Chiefs were top of the league table