By The Numbers: Sundowns reclaim top spot

PSL fans were treated to a dramatic pair of midweek league games as the title race took yet another twist. There was a change of leadership at the top of the PSL log table with Mamelodi Sundowns overtaking Orlando Pirates into first place. The Brazilians secured a 1-0 away win over AmaZulu in Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium. Meanwhile, Stellenbosch mounted a spirited comeback against Kaizer Chiefs, rallying from a half-time 1-0 deficit to a late 2-1 win at the home of Chiefs. How did the two teams do it? Laduma Analytics dives into the numbers.

AmaZulu (0.53 xG) 0-1 (1.94 xG) Sundowns

Sundowns took an impressive 29 shots at AmaZulu’s goal on Tuesday evening. It was the first time for any team to take more shots in a game recorded by Opta since 2020. As impressive as the quantity was, the quality and execution of chances were rather poor by the champions. A mixture of good fortune by AmaZulu’s goalkeeper, Darren Johnson and a lack of conversion by Sundowns’ players nearly saw Usuthu take a point at home.

Sundowns dominated every aspect of the game, controlling ball possession, chance creation, and forward passes. They spent the majority of the time in the middle and AmaZulu’s defensive third. A staggering 15 attempts at goal were off target, partially explaining why the game went into the last 10 minutes of normal time before Marcelo Allende broke the deadlock.

The xG timeline shows how Sundowns were the more adventurous team, while AmaZulu sat back, waiting until the 41st minute for their first attempt at goal. While a point was so close on the cards for AmaZulu FC, the concern should be on their defence.

290 – shots conceded by AmaZulu this season, the most of all teams

16.1 – average of 16.1 shots against per game

Kaizer Chiefs (1.10 xG) 1-2 (0.69 xG) Stellenbosch FC

In the other game on Tuesday evening, Kaizer Chiefs were hoping to close the gap and retake third from Sekhukhune United. A resilient Stellenbosch FC under coach Gavin Hunt spoiled the party in Soweto. Flavio Silva opened the scoring and Chiefs led at half-time before a goal five minutes into the second half and a goal three minutes from normal time handed Stellenbosch FC a vital three points on the road.

The xG timeline suggests a close game, and the eye test felt similar while watching this game last night. Chiefs will rue missed chances from the first half, as they could have put the game to bed before Stellenbosch reorganised themselves at the break.

15 – home games Chiefs have been winning at half-time since 2022

1 – this is the first time they lead at the break at home and lose the game since 2022 (W10 D4)

Consecutive defeats for the co-coaches will pile on the pressure ahead of their first official Soweto derby this coming weekend. A win against the Buccs while putting a serious dent into their rivals’ title charge would be welcomed by the fans.