Winners & Losers – PSL MatchDay 9

It may still be early in the PSL season, but the narratives are starting to take shape.

That said, some teams have been surprisingly good (and some surprisingly bad) – with a few of these playing this past weekend. Winners & Losers is a statistical review of the weekend PSL action.

Winners

Polokwane City

A win over Kaizer Chiefs is an excellent feat under any circumstance, but when that win lands you in the CAF places, it means a bit more. Pre-game, the bookies and the prevailing narrative favored the Chiefs, but they may have overlooked City’s home form in recent months. City are now unbeaten in 10 home league games, since a 1-0 defeat to Arrows at the beginning of March. They are the only side unbeaten at home in that time and have now laid a foundation for a strong season.

17 – Polokwane City have accumulated 17 points this season, the club’s joint-best start 10 games into a top-flight campaign (17 also in 2018/19, when they finished 5th).

SuperSport United

10 points from 12 games is not something any coach would put on their CV, but Gavin Hunt’s mood will be upbeat following the narrow victory over Richards Bay. It was their first away win of the season, coming in the seventh game, and also their first away goal in the competition. Maybe a move to KZN will suit all parties.

3 – SuperSport have won three away games in 2024, with all three coming in KZN (v Richards Bay in May and this weekend, and v Royal in May).

Bradley Grobler

When Bradley Grobler plays, SuperSport have an established finisher who can take advantage of the few chances they create. In his absence, they struggle. 3 goals from 10 games is SuperSport’s worst scoring start to a season by a mile (their previous worst was 8 at this stage). But with their sniper back from injury, that tally should improve soon.

1 – Throughout his club career, SuperSport United have lost just one league game when Bradley Grobler is on the scoresheet (70 league goals in 60 scoring matches – W46 D13 L1). Charm.

Sekhukhune

Revenge for the MTN8 defeat they suffered a few months ago, and an end to a two-game losing streak that was threatening to derail their season. Just as the October win over Sekhukhune didn’t solve every issue (they had lost two in a row as well then), this win does not mean that they are back in form. Except, it silenced a side that often gives them trouble.

2021 – This is the first time Sekhukhune beat Cape Town City in a home game since 2021 (P3 D1 L2).

TS Galaxy

There is still some way to go before TS Galaxy are the all-singing and all-dancing side that they are. But this was a step in the right direction.

1 – TS Galaxy’a 1-0 over AmaZulu saw them register their first clean sheet of the season, and end their longest-ever run without a clean sheet in the top-flight (10 games).

Losers

Kaizer Chiefs’ defence

The attack has been promising. 12 goals from eight games match the last good Kaizer Chiefs team – Ernst Middendorp 2019/20 league runners-up. No team in the league has created as many big chances as Chiefs (25). But on the other hand, a leaky defence threatens to undo all the good work happening creatively up front. 

12 & 0 – Kaizer Chiefs have conceded more goals than any other PSL top-flight club this season (12) and are the only team yet to keep a clean sheet in the competition

Richards Bay

Bottom of the table, and are now stuck in a 5-game losing streak. Their record over the last few months has been relegation-worthy, and it’s no surprise they find themselves stuck at the bottom of the table. A KZN derby against Arrows and a clash with Sundowns will end their year, so things could get worse still.

8 – Richards Bay are winless in eight games (D2 L6 all comps) since 20 October.