By The Numbers: Orlando Pirates’ Goalscoring Record

Four games were played in the DSTV Premiership on Wednesday night, with three of them ending 0-0. It was quite the opposite of Tuesday night, where each game saw at least one goal, with nine goals in total across four games. By The Numbers this week focuses on Orlando Pirates‘ incredible form, especially their scoring numbers.

4 – matches played on Wednesday 8 May

3 – matches that ended 0-0 on Wednesday

3 – previous days in PSL history where 4+ games were played & 75% or more ended 0-0 (also 10 November 1999, 8 August 2009, and 22 November 2017)

Pirates Standout

As a result, Orlando Pirates provided the contrast to this streak of goalless games, as the Buccaneers cruised to a 2-0 win against Chippa United. It helped them to extend their winning streak to five games (seven in all competitions) and narrow the gap to just one point behind Stellies. The standout results also highlighted Pirates’ great form. The last few weeks have provided evidence of why they are widely seen as the team that can break Sundowns’ hegemony on the title. And should Jose Riveiro stay the course, they have just cause to believe.

7 – games Pirates have won consecutively in all competitions

20 – years Pirates have waited to win seven in a row in all competitions

2 – previous coaches that have ever won 7 in a row (Viktor Bondarenko in 1999, Augusto Palacios in 2004)

0 – Pirates coaches that have ever won eight games in a row (PSL era only)

A Goalscoring Streak

For the last five months, goalscoring at Pirates has been a theme. Since the start of the year, no team has more goals than Pirates (20). Altogether, Pirates have scored 74 goals this season – only once in the last 20 years have their supporters seen more goals (92 in 2014/15 although there were 57 games in the competitions of that season). This goalscoring theme has proved to be a strong foundation for this run of form:

20 – consecutive games in which Pirates have scored at least one goal (all comps)

22 – the Pirates record for scoring in consecutive games (2000/01 under Gordon Igesund)

Mabasa – A Man In Form

At the heart of the winning run is strong goalscoring form. But at the heart of the strong goalscoring form is one Tshegofatso Mabasa. The striker has scored nine goals in 10 league appearances since his January move and is now leading the charts for the Golden Boot with 15 goals (including six at Swallows in the first half of the season). He’s proving to be an astute recall.

15 – goals by Mabasa this season, the most of all players.

102 – touches in the opposition box by Mabasa this season (only Rayners has more)

64% – shooting accuracy for Mabasa (of players with 5+ goals, only Craig Martin has a better accuracy).

What Next For Pirates?

It is a bit too late to mount a title challenge, but the Buccaneers still have other records to aim for this season. The race for a CAF Champions League spot and Nedbank Cup final on 1 June will sprint to mind first, but with three league games to play, there are some other targets for the club.

17 – wins that are possible for pirates in the league this season

18 – the most wins by a Pirates team in a PSL season (1996/97, 1999/00 and 2002/03)

43 – goals scored by Pirates in the league this season

52 – the most goals scored by a Pirates team in a 30-game PSL season (2004/05)

There is a lot to play for in May.