By the Numbers: DStv Premiership

This past weekend saw the last game week of action for the before the FIFA World Cup takes centre stage for the next 6 weeks. We saw plenty of goals scored (20) the joint-highest of a game week so far this season. The total goal count (201) is slightly below last season’s (205) but that is due more to a schedule conflict for teams who played CAF qualifiers and so game week 11 is currently incomplete. Before everything finishes up there is still the final of the MTN 8 competition which takes place this coming weekend Nov 5th. For now though, what were some of the underlying numbers of the past weekend? Laduma Analytics takes you through the action.

Orlando Pirates v Kaizer Chiefs – 0:1

The Soweto derby is always one of South Africa’s highlight games and the result of this game might have shocked a few fans. First off, the hosts had been so clinical in their two-legged match against Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN 8 yet continue to struggle in the league, especially with goal-scoring. They are now the only team yet to score a goal in the second half of a league game this season. What about the numbers behind the scoreline, what can they tell us about this match?

Game Analysis

As expected Orlando Pirates came out of the blocks fast, playing in the opposition’s third and getting more box entries than Chiefs in the early part of the game. From minute 15 to 45, the tide turned with Chiefs being the more dangerous team with shots and box entires being higher (visual below). The same can be said for the beginning of the second half, with the teams swapping dominance every 15 minutes – the difference being Pirates were yet to score a second-half league goal.

Orlando Pirates

60% – ball possession for the Bucs, an increase on their average 55% possession figure for the league campaign to date

12 – shots taken during the Soweto derby, one more than they have taken on average per game

2 – the number of shots that hit the target, below their season average of 3.6 per game

1.23 – the total xG from the derby – closely aligned with their league average of 1.16 xG

32 – the number of attacks coming from the left-hand channel – greater than the average of 28

28 – the number of attacks coming from the right-hand channel – greater than the average of 24 for the league campaign

Kaizer Chiefs

The defending champions have been on a goal-scoring run like no other team in the league since they had a re-shuffle in the technical department. After a run of some difficult performances, the swapping of duties at Chloorkop has returned eight goals in two league games – beyond impressive for any team. The defending champions also end the World Cup break on top of the log with the most points of all teams at home – 15.

1.39 – the xG that Chiefs put together – well below their average of 1.78 per game on average

11 – the number of box entries made by the visitors – again below their average of 15 entries per game

12 – shots taken by AmaKhosi – closely matching their average of 13 shots taken per game

6 – the number of shots that hit the target – an increase of 1.2 on their average per game (4.8)

Royal AM v Mamelodi Sundowns – 0:3

62% – the possession figure – in line with their league average of 64% in 2022/23 

8 – the number of shots taken by Sundowns – well below their league average of 13 to date

1.92 – the xG total, similar in line with their average to date (1.67 xG)

11 – the number of box entries made – again well below their average of 19 in 2022/23

Royal AM

12 – the hosts had more shots than Sundowns but were restricted to efforts from distance

4 – number of shots on target – very reasonable considering the distance from goal

0.7 – the xG combined – their third-lowest total of 12 games played

16 – entries into the box – increase on their average of 13 from the league campaign to date

Chippa United v Richards Bay – 3:3

An absolute goal fest was on show between two teams who are both having a great season. For Richards Bay it has been a phenomenal 13 league games taking on average 1.77 points per game – only Mamelodi Sundowns have taken more points than they. As impressive as the journey has been so far, their performances would suggest that they should in fact find themselves at the other end of the table – struggling instead of thriving.

It brings to mind a similar scenario we observed last year with Sekhukhune United who went on a similar run and then struggled after the mid-season break which was the AFCON tournament. We along with everyone else will be intrigued to follow how they perform after the break.