DSTV Prem: Player of the Season Candidates – Part 1

It is that time of the season again when the nominees for the Footballer of the Season have been named. The eight nominees for the 2020/21 DSTV Premiership season are as follows: Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ruzaigh Gamildien (Swallows FC), Mduduzi Mdantsane (Cape Town City FC), Bradley Grobler (SuperSport United), Fortune Makaringe (Orlando Pirates), Deon Hotto (Orlando Pirates) and Augustine Mulenga (AmaZulu FC).

DSTV Prem: Player of the Season Candidates – Part 2

In this two-part series, we will examine four players in each article, including their contributions through data and statistical analysis. To help understand their nominations, we will use graphics containing data visualisations. The visualisation will show the percentile rank of each listed metric and where the player in question sits in comparison to other players in the same position.

Peter Shalulile – Mamelodi Sundowns

This is the second time in successive years that the Namibian international was nominated, his 16 goal tally last year saw him tie with Gabadinho Mhango (Orlando Pirates). From the moment the season began last October, Shalulile comfortably fitted into the jersey of The Brazilians at Chloorkop.

His statistics have again been solid this season and also partially higher at times in comparison when he played for Highlands Park. That was to be expected since the quality of the team he was stepping into have also raised his game. As an example, Shalulile’s style fitted near perfectly to the way Sundowns play. He’s shown to be press aggressive from the front and is very good at taking shooting opportunities where the chance of scoring goals is higher than elsewhere. In addition, he has interlinked with team-mates well and has a way of creating very good scoring opportunities, as can be seen by his assist record this season.

Themba Zwane – Mamelodi Sundowns

Also nominated is team-mate and last year’s winner, Themba Zwane. The 31-year old showed that last year’s accolade was no one-off scenario. In terms of his statistical profile, Zwane has again shown that he is an all-around attacking asset to have in any team. He is amongst the strongest players in any attacking metric you can measure and his output has no doubt been helped by having Shalulile as a team-mate (and the same goes vice-versa).

Ruzaigh Gamildien – Swallows FC

Despite Swallows FC drawing more games than any other team this season, the team came out of the blocks sprinting until February before a recent turn in form saw them struggling to win a game. Gamildien featured heavily in most games for Swallows from the start but often failed to see out a 90 minute match under Truter. That may beg the question of his fitness at 31 years old or was that Truter’s strategy from the off-set? In terms of his statistical profile for the season, it looks as follows.

His game in 2020/21 saw him become an important member of the Swallows forward line where he took opportunities presented to him by team-mates as well as through his own creation. He was dangerous in front of goal and created some of the most high value goal chances amongst DSTV Premiership forwards.

Mduduzi Mdantsane – Cape Town City

The impressive tally of goals early on into the season saw Mdantsane become an important member of Jan Olde Riekerink’s squad. Despite playing in a deeper role for The Citizens, he was influential in the team’s rise up the table early into the season. The second half of the season has been quiet in terms of goals and assists as well as minutes played but he nonetheless remains an important figure in the squad having arrived from Baroka at the start of 2020.

His statistical profile in midfield mirrors the ability of what fans have seen from him, he’s creative and able to move the ball around the park, has an eye for goal and elsewhere works hard for a team that enjoys the most possession in the league.

The next edition will examine the other four nominees (Bradley Grobler, Fortune Makaringe, Deon Hotto and Augustine Mulenga) contribution during the season and the reasons behind their nomination for Footballer of the Season.