PSL: The numbers behind the Monthly Winners

The PSL announced its Monthly award winners on Tuesday afternoon, recognizing the most outstanding players and coaches from the December/January period. Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso won the Coach of the Month award, in his first month on South African soil.

Downs striker Iqraam Rayners scooped the Player of the Month gong, while Mduduzi Shabalala won Goal of the Month.

Cardoso caps first month with glory

Sundowns’ new(-ish) coach Miguel Cardoso was crowned Coach of the Month in his first full month in charge. The Portuguese coach only joined Sundowns on the 10th of December, but the results from this period were deemed enough to see him as the standout coach.

It’s becoming a habit at Sundowns, who have dominated the league in recent years. Of the last 12 awards, six have now gone to Sundowns (50%). Pirates are the next best side on 2.

4 – games played by Sundowns in the period since the last awards
4 – wins by Sundowns in that period
3 – games coached by Cardoso in the latter part of that period
100% – win rate for Sundowns in the games coached by Cardoso (1st in the division)

Rayners scoops another award

Iqraam Rayners is the PSL’s leading goalscorer at the moment, with 6 goals from 10 games. The former Stellenbosch man has fitted seamlessly into Sundowns’ attacking setup since joining the club in August. Rayners is not new to thisaward, having won it three times in his time at Stellies. Since coming up with Stellies in 2019, no player has taken this award more than him (4 times, level with Peter Shalulile). Interestingly, his last such award came for the same months previously (November/December last year). However, he is starting to make a habit of taking this home.

24 – goals scored by Rayners in 2024 (all comps)
4 – players in PSL history to score more in a calendar year
11 – Player of the Month awards since Feb/March 2023
4 – Player of the Month awards for Rayners in that time (36%)

The shot map shows Rayners’ form in front of goals in more detail. While his transition from Stellies to SuperSport did not go as smoothly, the second move to Sundowns has reaped rewards for all involved. His 13 goals in all competitions are just 4 shy of his total from last season, and he should match that in no time, injury permitting.

The detailed numbers show just how much he has improved (league only).

160 – minutes per goal for Rayners at Stellies last season
120 – minutes per goal for Rayners this season
16% – conversion rate for Rayners at Stellies last season
40% – conversion rate for Rayners at Sundowns this season

Sundowns have not been a shot-heavy team this season, down 13 shots per game last season to just 10 per game this season. That sounds like a small dropoff, but not when you consider that they were 3rd highest last season, and are 3rd lowest this season. With fewer shot volumes, players like Rayners will have to be clinical throughout the season to keep up Downs’ momentum.