Five Statistics: PSL & CAF Weekend

Orlando Pirates were the biggest winners of the PSL weekend, delivering a 6-0 demolition of TS Galaxy on Sunday afternoon. Relebohile Mofokeng stole the spotlight with his first senior hat-trick, and is looking like a key figure if Pirates are to take the title race down to the wire. Elsewhere, Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch continued their mini-revivals, while KZN sides AmaZulu, Golden Arrows and Durban City all enjoyed narrow, but important, 1-0 wins. Five Statistics breaks down the key numbers from the weekend.

Stellies continue fine form under Gavin Hunt

Gavin Hunt’s arrival at Stellenbosch seems to have transformed the club. They are no longer leaking goals for fun, and have found their rhythm up front. Pre-Hunt, they averaged 0.7 goals per game, which has improved to 1.1 now. They conceded 1.3 goals per game prior to his arrival, and have cut that down to 0.63. These trends were on full display against Chippa, as Tshegofatso Mabasa’s clinical brace set them on their way. It was only a late unfortunate penalty that denied them a clean sheet on the other end.

16 – Only Sundowns (24) & Pirates (23) have won more points than Stellenbosch (16) since Hunt’s arrival.

Sundowns reach tricky CAFCL semis, as rivals bow out

Sundowns confirmed their place in the Champions League semi-finals for a fourth consecutive season, despite losing their away game in Mali. They are the only African team to reach this stage in each of the last four editions. However, their away form remains a concern, with one win from their last 12 away games in the group stage or later of this competition (W1 D6 L5). Yet, in an era where away goals matter, the draws still carry value. The exits of Al Ahly and Pyramids, winners of the last three titles, open up the competition on paper. Yet, Downs’ record against Esperance, their semi-final opponent, is not great.

2 – Sundowns have won just two of the 10 games against Esperance (D4 L4).

Mofokeng treble enables Pirates rout

We recently highlighted how Pirates have been profligate in front of goal, creating but missing the most big chances of any team. Against TS Galaxy, those concerns were temporarily put to bed. Led by the reigning Player of the Month Relebohile Mofokeng’s hat-trick, Pirates became the first team in PSL history to beat TS Galaxy by more than three goals in a league game. They have reached the 40-goal mark quicker than any team this season, a tally that beats their season total in 11 previous campaigns. Most of their goals, interestingly, have come away from home.

24 – Pirates have now scored 24 goals away from home this season. Only once before (26 in 2016/17) have they scored more away goals in a PSL campaign.

Kaizer Chiefs academy powers mini-revival

Consecutive league wins, and coincidentally, consecutive clean sheets for the first time since January. The formula to Chiefs’ victories this season has been defensive stability first, then individual brilliance to decide games. Against Magesi, that quality came from home, with goals for academy products Wandile Duba and Mduduzi Shabalala. Glody Lilepo and Flavio Silva have carried the goalscoring load this year, as the influence (and goals) of younger players dried up. Scoring first can ease the pressure on young team players, and opponents have found it hard to break Chiefs down once they are ahead.

1 – Chiefs have scored the first goal in 12 matches this season, and lost only one (v Stellenbosch).

AmaZulu dreaming of CAF football

They left it late against Polokwane City, in a game they didn’t dominate, but were more efficient. AmaZulu had just four shots (compared to 15 for the hosts), yet came away with the points. It’s the lowest shot tally in a game that they have gone on to win this season. Following a disappointing Cup exit to Casric Stars, where they outshot the opposition, Arthur Zwane will take the result above good football. The result puts AmaZulu in third on the table, and they are now in the driving seat for the final CAF position.

37 – AmaZulu have won more points in 22 games this season (37) than they did throughout all of last season (35).