By The Numbers: PSL Midweek Stats

PSL action resumed this week following the African Cup of Nations break. Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch all got off to a winning start, with corresponding defeats for Orbit College, Golden Arrows and Sekhukhune. The results bumped all three winners one place up on the league table, with Sundowns going first, Chiefs sitting in third position and Stellies jumping out of the relegation fire to 13th. Likewise, Orbit and Sekhukhune dropped a place on the table, while Arrows remained in situ. By The Numbers is a statistical review with five key stats from the action.

Sundowns continue dominance over new teams

Sundowns’ 2-0 win over Orbit College on Monday continued a long-standing trend of their winning results against newly promoted sides. Since 2017, the Brazilians are unbeaten against newly promoted teams in the PSL, a 10-year stretch that shows no signs of ending. In the last decade, only one promoted side has actually taken all three points from Sundowns, and that was AmaZulu back in 2017. Between then and now, only Highlands Park, Swallows FC (two times), and Polokwane City have managed to grab a point. The other sixteen games have gone one way – a Sundowns win.

21 – Sundowns are unbeaten in the last 21 league games played against newly promoted sides, winning 16 and drawing four such games since 2017.

The Brandon Petersen Wall

Last season, Kaizer Chiefs kept just seven clean sheets in the whole campaign. They will probably double that this season, as they have kept 10 clean sheets in just 14 games so far – we are not even at the halfway stage. Indeed, Brandon Petersen is currently on pace for a historic individual campaign. With 10 clean sheets, this marks the highest number of clean sheets recorded by a Chiefs goalkeeper at the halfway stage of a 30-game season. Petersen has already surpassed the mid-season tallies of club legends like Itumeleng Khune (7 at the halfway stage was his best) and Brian Baloyi (8).

10 – Petersen has kept 10 clean sheets this season, and is the first goalkeeper to reach 10 clean sheets in the division.

Kaizer Chiefs knocking

Their defence has been the perfect foil in a busy season, but their attack continues to be shy, averaging a goal per game so far (14 in 14). However, they are showing some good signs, and one of those signs is that the shots keep coming. Chiefs landed 8 shots on target against Arrows, testing their keeper constantly throughout the game. This doesn’t happen often. In the previous five seasons combined, Chiefs have played 149 league games. In that stretch, they registered 8+ shots on target in a game just two times (both against Royal AM).

3 – This season, Chiefs have achieved this against Sekhukhune, AmaZulu, and now Arrows (3 in 14).

Tshegofatso Mabasa’s flying start

Stellenbosch’s victory over Sekhukhune United was secured by a Tshegofatso Mabasa solitary goal. The journeyman, who has featured for four different clubs in the last four seasons, loves a debut. Mabasa’s winner was not just a crucial three points for Stellies; it was a continuation of a personal tradition where he started well at clubs. Initially, it took Mabasa 27 games to find the net at Bloemfontein Celtic, and then at Pirates, he needed three games to get off the mark (although he scored on his first start). However, at the last three new clubs, he’s started off on a high note.

3 – Mabasa has now scored in his league debut for his last three clubs: Sekhukhune, Swallows, and now Stellenbosch.

Gavin Hunt’s Stellies journey begins

The departure of Steve Barker from Stellenbosch during the AFCON break left many people surprised. As a replacement, the club have gone for experience, which is wise considering they find themselves very close to the relegation zone. Gavin Hunt is the only coach in PSL history with 1000+ games under his belt, and Stellies are the 10th different club he will be coaching in the top-flight. There is still a long way to go before Stellies are safe, but they at elast can bask in the comfort of Hunt winning his first game.

70% – Gavin Hunt has now won seven of his 10 coaching “debuts” at various South African clubs, losing twice and drawing the other one.