By The Numbers: Kaizer Chiefs Make Games In Hand Count

Kaizer Chiefs produced a clinical performance and stretched their winning streak to five matches in the Premiership on Wednesday evening. Their dominant 4-1 victory over Magesi at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium marks a significant win for the Soweto side as they look to cement third place in the log standings. With seven games to go, they have established a commanding six-point lead over fourth-placed AmaZulu. Chiefs are now favourites for the final CAF spot, something which they recently set as a minimum goal for the club

5 – consecutive league wins for Chiefs, the first time they have done this since December 2019

45 – points for Chiefs from 23 games, their best points total at this stage since 2019/20

45 – points for Chiefs from 23 games, more than each of the last two season total

Key to this upturn in fortunes has been more consistency in front of goal. Chiefs struggled to score more than once in a game for the first six months of the season, but the last month has seen a marked improvement from their finishers.

2 – matches in which Chiefs scored 2+ goals from Matchday 1 to Matchday 19

4 – matches in which Chiefs scored 2+ goals from Matchday 20 to Matchday 23

4 – games in which Chiefs have scored 2+ goals, a first for the club in PSL history

First Half

The first half saw Chiefs assert their dominance in ball possession (63% vs 37%) over Magesi but both teams were shot shy. Chiefs only led 4-3 in shots against the team at the bottom of the log table. However, they did not need too many shots to get the breakthrough, as Flávio Silva’s clinical turn-and-shoot technique opened the scoring with their second shot of the game. Wandile Duba would add a second in the 37th minute to give Chiefs a 2-0 lead at half time.

1 – this was the first time Chiefs have scored two goals in the first half of a game this season

November 2024 – the last time Chiefs scored 2+ in the first half of a league game

Second Half

The second half saw a more balanced approach in terms of territory, with possession ending at 52% for Chiefs and 48% for Magesi FC. However, Chiefs were far more dangerous with the ball, creating several shooting opportunities. They added a third in the 62nd minute through Mduduzi Shabalala, who finished a move sparked by a brilliant transition from the midfield. The Chiefs’ defence, led by the partnership of Inácio Miguel and Aden McCarthy, remained largely untroubled for the majority of the night. The hosts scored with their only shot on target.

5 – shots faced by Chiefs in this game, their fewest in a game this year

1 – shot on target faced by Chiefs in this game, just like their last game (v TS Galaxy)

6 – shot on target faced by Chiefs in the last 5 games, fewer than they faced in the 1-0 loss to Richards Bay at the start of March

Co-Coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze face a difficult end to the season with the next five weeks presenting a testing schedule. Chiefs will play six consecutive away games, something that has never happened at the club before. Their six-point cushion and a game in hand showed how vital Wednesday night’s win was to keep their grip firmly on third place.

Magesi struggles continue

For Magesi, the result is yet another tough pill to swallow as the Limpopo side struggle to find the quality required for survival in the top-flight. Their performances throughout the season have suggested that they aren’t as bad as the league table suggests. In their 24 league games, they have amassed 17 points, yet performances show they should have approximately 30 points. With the clock ticking on their top-flight status, they will need a drastic turnaround in form to bridge the gap and avoid the drop.

13 – teams in PSL history that accumulated 17 points or fewer at this stage

1 – team in PSL history that survived relegation with this record (2015/16 Maritzburg)