What happened to all the DStv Premiership goals?

It’s a question that has had experts – and the SAPeople website – scratching their heads for some time: Why does the PSL produce so few goals?

Last season, Mamelodi Sundowns‘ Namibian star Peter Shalulile and Cape Town City FC’s Khanyiso Mayo proved to be the deadliest DStv Premiership strikers in the country with 12 goals apiece.

That total was less than half the all-time PSL record of 25 goals held by Zambia’s Collins Mbesuma while playing for Kaizer Chiefs in the 2004/05 season.

With the current DStv Premiership season well into its final third, only one player has reached double figures in terms of goals scored in the 2023/24 campaign.

In fact, it takes only SIX goals to make it into the current Top 10 goal scorers list.

Log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns lead the way – not surprisingly – in terms of goals scored with 34 in 19 matches. That’s an average of 1.8 per match.

Incredibly, no fewer than eight teams have scored fewer goals than matches played, while two others have scored the same number.

That means only SIX teams (Mamelodi Sundowns, Stellenbosch FC, Sekhukhune United, Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United and Golden Arrows) have scored more goals than matches played!

Kaizer Chiefs hold the PSL record for goals scored in a single season when the Glamour Boys found the back of the net 73 times in the 1998/1999 season.

However, to be remembered, is that in the 1998/1999 season there were 18 teams and thus 34 matches played, four more than the 30 fixtures per team in 2023/2024.

Amakhosi have 19 goals after 22 matches this campaign …

TOP 10 ALL-TIME PSL GOAL SCORING SEASONS

Under season, player, nationality, team, goals scored

1. 2004/05 Collins Mbesuma (Zambia), Kaizer Chiefs – 25

2. 2021/22 Peter Shalulile (Namibia), Mamelodi Sundowns – 23

3. 1996/97 Wilfred Mugeyi (Zimbabwe), Bush Bucks – 22

4. 1998/99 Pollen Ndlanya (South Africa), Kaizer Chiefs – 21

5. 2011/12 Siyabonga Nomvethe (South Africa), Moroka Swallows – 20

T6. 2000/01 Gilbert Mushangazhike (Zimbabwe), Manning Rangers – 19

T6. 2008/09 Richard Henyekane (South Africa), Golden Arrows – 19

T8. 2001/02 Ishmael Maluleke (South Africa), Manning Rangers – 18

T8. 2002/03 Lesley Manyathela (South Africa), Orlando Pirates – 18

T8. 1999/00 Dennis Lota (Zambia), Orlando Pirates – 18

NOTE: The list above indicates the Top 10 number of goals scored to TOP a season’s standings

LATEST DSTV PREMIERSHIP 2023/2024 LOG