STATS: Peter Shalulile equals PSL All-Time record

The PSL midweek calendar continued on Wednesday night with three games played to round off the midweek schedule. Orlando Pirates overcame Stellenbosch 1-0, AmaZulu beat Marumo Gallants by the same scoreline, while Sundowns laboured to a 2-0 win over Magesi. The third game made the most headlines, as Peter Shalulile scored the 2nd goal to equal the all-time goalscoring record. Lets dig into the numbers and break down his feat.

Nomvethe goals breakdown

For years, Siyabonga Nomvethe’s record seemed as though it would never be broken. The legendary striker’s PSL career spanned nearly 20 years, with his goals scored in 14 PSL seasons. There were international stints in between, but the PSL goal count is only for domestic goals with a top-flight side.

Nomvethe’s goals came at five different clubs, starting off with African Wanderers. His first top-flight goals came in a 3-3 draw against Kaizer Chiefs on the opening day of the 1997-98 season. He opened the scoring in the 21st minute, before helping the side stretch their lead to 3-2 in the second half. Mark Williams’ 90th-minute equaliser denied his team a famous opening-day win as a newly promoted side. He’d later join Chiefs for three seasons, bagging 48 goals before leaving for Italy. However, most of his goals came at Moroka Swallows, netting 62 times in seven seasons, including a Golden Boot in 2012.

The Chase

On the other hand Peter Shalulile’s record has come in just nine seasons, starting off with a goal on 12 February against Polokwane City. The Namibian scored 27 goals for Highlands Park when they were in the top-flight, before joining Sundowns at the start of the 2020/21 season. He peaked in 2021/22, coming close to the season-record for goals. While his numbers have fallen off since then, he has still maintained a decent average.

Shalulile’s first top-flight goal also came for a newly promoted side in February 2017 in a 1-1 draw against Polokwane City. That was his only goal for that season, and Highlands Park were relegated at the end of that campaign. When they were promoted the following season, the Namibian bagged seven goals, but the 2019/20 campaign was the season that made people take notice of his abilities. Sundowns were among those who sat up and took notice, not least after he scored against them during the bio-bubble.

102 goals later, Shalulile has equalled the South African top-flight scoring record, and may still have time to set a new record and extend it. When interviewed, he mentioned he is aiming for 25 goals this season. Should that happen, it would take him past 150 goals, a total that will take another few decades to match.

Who reached the milsetone faster?

On a game-by-game basis, the Namibian has done his scoring at a faster rate – 0.44 goals per game, while Nomvethe got his 129 goals at 0.41 goals per game. Bradley Grobler will also be encouraged by this milestone. The Sekhukhune striker is on 120 goals at the moment, and needs just nine to equal this record and 10 to set a new record. This chase should provide intriguing narratives throughout the season.