Five Stat Stories: PSL Weekend Review

Orlando Pirates christened their new Amstel Arena by equalling a PSL record for consecutive home wins this weekend. The result sent them level on points with Sundowns at the top of the table, only separated by goal difference. Meanwhile, Chippa United and AmaZulu also picked up important wins in the league, and there were goals galore in some of the other games, with two matches seeing Over 3.5 goals each. Meanwhile, the three PSL teams in CAF experienced mixed results – a win for Kaizer Chiefs, and a defeat aside for Sundowns and Stellenbosch. Here are five emerging narratives from the weekend (in detail)…

PSL teams stutter in CAF

A year ago, PSL teams were flying high in continental football with Stellenbosch, Orlando Pirates and Sundowns all reaching the semi-final stage of CAF’s inter-club competitions. One year later, the landscape looks altogether different. This past weekend, both Stellenbosch and Sundowns suffered what could be fatal defeats. Sundowns lost to group leaders Al-Hilal, while Stellies suffered a heavy 3-0 loss to CR Belouizdad at home. Kaizer Chiefs, who beat Zesco 1-0 were the only winners, limiting damage on a group stage that hasn’t really taken off for PSL sides.

12 – PSL teams have played 12 games in the Group stages, winning, drawing and losing four each.

On Sundowns’ away inconsistencies

They may be top of the table in the league, but Sundowns’ big issue has been inconsistent away results. While this was only their second defeat on the road this season, they are not winning too many either. Half of their away games have ended in a draw (6). Frustratingly these have been scattered throughout the season, so this is less a blip, and more of a pattern. With crucial away games against St Eloi Lupopo (CAF) and Orlando Pirates (league) to come, a solution must be found quickly.

277 – Sundowns are yet to win back-to-back away games across competitions this season, last doing so in May 2025.

Chiefs complete the double over Zesco

A week ago, Kaizer Chiefs became the first PSL team to win a game away to Zesco United in Zambia, ending a four game (and 10-year) winless run for PSL sides there. This weekend, they showed that there was no fluke, defeating the same side by the same scoreline in Durban. The result eliminated Zesco from the competition, and set Chiefs up for potential progression to the knockout rounds. There is still work to be done before that is finalised, but the double over Zesco gives them a good chance going forward.

3 – Kaizer Chiefs are the 3rd PSL team to beat Zambian opponents home & away in the same edition of a CAF competition, after Manning Rangers (1997/98) and Orlando Pirates (2012/13)

Relebohile Mofokeng and Yanela Mbuthuma shine for Orlando Pirates

After a first half of the season that has been disappointing by his standards, Relebohile Mofokeng is starting to look like he is having fun on the pitch again. Until this weekend, he had been directly involved in just two league goals all season in 10 appearances. He doubled that in 45 minutes against Magesi on the weekend. In addition to his goal and assist, Mofokeng also created five chances for his teammates. One of these chances ended up as an assist, to a player who would later repay the favour.

2 – Yanela Mbuthuma and Relebohile Mofokeng are the third pair of Orlando Pirates teammates to assist each other’s goals in the same league game since we have full assist data available (2020 onwards).

Orlando Pirates celebrate new arena with a PSL record

The renaming of Orlando Stadium to Orlando Amstel Arena was supposed to signal the start of a new dawn. To retain the fear factor that once engulfed teams when they visited here, Pirates need more than just renaming a stadium. They must be ruthless, and ensure that this is a place no team wants to visit. In 10 home games played between April and August, Pirates won just three, drawing five and losing the other two (both to Sekhukhune). Since then, they have turned the place into a fortress.

10 – Pirates have won each of their last 10 home games in all competitions, equalling the PSL record for consecutive home victories across competitions.