DSTV Prem Performance Review – Sundowns v Pirates

Mamelodi Sundowns continued their strong start to the 2021/22 season as they now top the log standing with 13 points from 5 games, having scored 8 goals and conceding 0. Two superb second-half goals by Namibian striker Peter Shalulile sank the Buccs to their first defeat of the current campaign. Analyzing the big match of Gameweek 5, Laduma Analytics brings you the low down on the team’s performance.

Sundowns Possesion and Control

To little surprise, Sundowns had most of the ball possession, 58% to 42% as well as the most attempted passes (477 vs 332) yet it was their ability to move the ball around the park that at times caused the Pirates players problems. Looking at their passing network below, a lot of the forward attacking play came down the left-hand side through Lyle Lakay with lots of linkage play between Zwane, Coetzee, and Jali.

Lyle Lakay

Lakay had a point to prove to National team coach Hugo Broos for being overlooked in the coach’s latest initial selection. His attacking play is what he is known for and that was again on display as he delivered the cross for Shalulile’s second goal.

The map below shows Lakay’s passing actions for the season so far and it is clear to see his love for going forward and playing most of his contributions and passes in the opposition half as well as delivering crosses into the box as he did against Pirates.

Pirates rue missed chances

Orlando Pirates had the chance to take the game to the champions but failed to make the most of the opportunities given to them. Whilst the team has scored 6 goals under the new management, they have only once managed to score over 1 xG per game, whereas last season they were averaging 1.52 xG per game over a 30 game season.

Most of this can be attributed to their shot selection, where the Buccs as a team have only managed to take 55% of their shots from within the 18-yard box. Not exactly what the coaching staff has been looking for along with the deep drive recruitment that took place in the off-season. For comparison, title defenders Sundowns had also been finding it difficult to create high-value chances in the first 3 games but now put up back-to-back chances of at least 1 xG per game. It is still early days, yet an interesting trend to monitor for a team that also lacked goals last season

Vincent Pule

Pule had the second most passes of any Pirates player against Sundowns (36) with Paseko Mako having attempted 39. Whilst Pule played upfront with Tshegofatso Mabasa and Deon Hotto, he completed a mere 61% of his passes however by expected threat (CST) measures, he was the player who created the most threat going forward for the Buccs.

His pass map below shows that corners were not being met by teammates aerially yet he was able to move the ball into forwarding areas for teammates to run onto – Bandile Shandu’s shot which was saved at the near post by Sundowns keeper Onyango.