Gavin Hunt coach of Kaizer Chiefs during the 2020 MTN8 Semi Final 1st Leg match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs on the 31 October 2020 at Orlando Stadium, Soweto Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
As 2020 draws to a close, we have the chance to look back over the last 12 months from a statistical point of view in the DStv Premiership.
Gavin Hunt coach of Kaizer Chiefs during the 2020 MTN8 Semi Final 1st Leg match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs on the 31 October 2020 at Orlando Stadium, Soweto Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
As 2020 (finally) draws to a close, we have the chance to look back over the last 12 months from a statistical point of view in the DStv Premiership.
And there are some numbers that may surprise many.
LOG | LATEST STANDINGS IN THE 2020/21 DSTV PREMIERSHIP
You might think you know who had the best win percentage of all sides in the calendar year (Mamelodi Sundowns?), but there is a surprise waiting in that category.
With promotion, relegation and club sales, there are only 13 teams who competed in the DStv Premiership for the duration of 2020.
Typically, teams would also usually play around 30 games in a calendar year, but the break for Covid-19 lockdown means that number dropped to between 22 and 24 this time round.
READ | SAUDI BILLIONAIRE DENIES INVOLVEMENT IN FAILED GASTON SIRINO TRANSFER
Below, the best – and worst – of 2020 in South Africa’s top-flight as noted by Mzansi Football.
Mamelodi Sundowns claimed the 2019/20 DStv Premiership title and have made a strong start to the new campaign, so it is perhaps not surprising that they have picked up the most wins this year.
But they are not the side with the best win percentage, that goes to their Tshwane neighbours SuperSport United, who have collected 13 victories in 22 matches through the year. Sundowns have 14 wins, but those have come from 24 games.
Stellenbosch FC also make what some might see as a surprise entrance into the top five.
MOST WINS
14 – Mamelodi Sundowns
13 – SuperSport United
13 – Cape Town City
12 – Orlando Pirates
8 – Stellenbosch FC
WIN PERCENTAGE
59.09 – SuperSport United
58.33 – Mamelodi Sundowns
56.62 – Cape Town City
52.17 – Orlando Pirates
34.78 – Stellenbosch FC
One club stand head and shoulders above the rest for most defeats in 2020 as it has been a torrid year for Black Leopards, who only survived via the playoffs last season and look in trouble again. They have lost two-thirds of the games they have played.
Given their success of the previous season it is perhaps a surprise to see Maritzburg United in the list, but such has been their wretched start to 2020/21, they are in the mix.
MOST LOSSES
16 – Black Leopards
11 – Baroka FC
11 – Chippa United
10 – AmaZulu
10 – Maritzburg United
LOSS PERCENTAGE
66.67 – Black Leopards
47.83 – Baroka FC
47.83 – Chippa United
43.48 – AmaZulu
41.67 – Maritzburg United
Teams with the fewest wins and the fewest losses.
FEWEST LOSSES
2 – Orlando Pirates (8.70% of matches)
3 – Mamelodi Sundowns (12.50)
5 – Cape Town City (21.74)
7 – Bloemfontein Celtic (30.43)
7 – Lamontville Golden Arrows (30.43)
7 – SuperSport United (31.82)
FEWEST WINS
5 – Black Leopards (20.83% of matches)
5 – AmaZulu (21.74)
5 – Chippa United (21.74)
5 – Lamontville Golden Arrows (21.74)
6 – Maritzburg United (25.00)
Teams that have either had the most draws or the fewest.
MOST DRAWS
11 – Lamontville Golden Arrows (47.83% of matches)
9 – Bloemfontein Celtic (39.13)
9 – Orlando Pirates (39.13)
8 – AmaZulu (34.78)
8 – Kaizer Chiefs (33.33)
8 – Maritzburg United (33.33)
FEWEST DRAWS
2 – SuperSport United (9.09% of matches)
3 – Black Leopards (12.50)
5 – Baroka FC (21.74)
5 – Cape Town City (21.74)
6 – Stellenbosch FC (26.09)
Teams have been the most prolific in front of goal and those that have battled in the opposition box.
MOST GOALS SCORED PER GAME
1.67 – Mamelodi Sundowns
1.59 – SuperSport United
1.52 – Cape Town City
1.30 – Bloemfontein Celtic
1.17 – Orlando Pirates
FEWEST GOALS SCORED PER GAME
0.65 – Chippa United
0.83 – Black Leopards
0.87 – Baroka FC
0.96 – AmaZulu
0.96 – Stellenbosch FC
Team that have conceded the most goals per game and those that have been the tightest at the back.
MOST GOALS CONCEDED PER GAME
1.58 – Black Leopards
1.29 – Maritzburg United
1.26 – AmaZulu
1.26 – Bloemfontein Celtic
1.17 – Chippa United
FEWEST GOALS CONCEDED PER GAME
0.61 – Orlando Pirates
0.63 – Mamelodi Sundowns
0.91 – SuperSport United
1.00 – Lamontville Golden Arrows
1.09 – Cape Town City
1.09 – Stellenbosch FC