Desh Parthab highlights some stats you should keep in mind before taking your DStv Premiership bets this weekend. This edition features Brandon Peterson, Mfundo Thikazi and more!
Mamelodi Sundowns put some distance between themselves and the rest of the pack following a 6-0 thumping of Golden Arrows. That was the final straw for the KZN side’s coach Lehlohonolo Seema who received his marching orders shortly thereafter.
The Nedbank Cup quarter-finals got underway with clubs putting everything on the line for glory. Reigning Cup champions, Marumo Gallants, have only conceded one goal during the knockout stages of the competition en route to reaching the semi-finals, highlighting the adage – “Defences win titles”.
Royal AM came back from 2 goals down with an impressive 2nd half comeback, scoring 3 without reply to secure their spot in the semis. There was another five-goal thriller where SuperSport came out on the wrong side, costing Kaitano Tembo his job.
With that being said, the DStv Premiership gets back underway this weekend and it’s all to play for – here are a few players to keep your eye on!
Peterson coming into his own
Brandon Peterson has kept three clean sheets across his previous five league appearances for Kaizer Chiefs. The shot-stopper has conceded just two goals during that period, where he failed to keep a shutout in the Soweto Derby – but pulled off a string of fine saves to hand his side the three points. The other goal came against a Golden Arrows team that has been outscored by just 2 top-flight clubs on their travels this season. Suffice to say, the Amakhosi nets appear to be in safe hands.
An incredible team goal from Kaizer Chiefs ❤️✌🏾 Incredible from Peterson to spot Parker like that. #Amakhosi4Life #DStvPrem
— Amakhosi4LIVE (@amakhosi4live) April 2, 2022
pic.twitter.com/WYySWgF5hW
Thikazi finding his shooting boots
Mfundo Thikazi has bagged two goals across his previous three appearances for Royal AM. One of those goals came as a stoppage-time winner in the Nedbank Cup to cement his club’s place in the semis. The defender is one of a host of footballers that have been punching above their weight for the league newcomers.
𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 ✅
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) April 10, 2022
Royal AM fight back from 2-0 down to score three unanswered goals in the second half through Letsoalo (brace) and Thikazi. They are through to #NedbankCup semifinals. pic.twitter.com/clC3SI67Jw
Dion looking to translate cup form into league goals
Sede Junior Dion got on the score sheet in the Nedbank Cup to put his side into the semi-final. He has bagged three goals in the Nedbank Cup this season, making him the competition’s current top scorer (joint, level with Wonderboy Makhubu). Dion has two goals in top-flight football to go with that, but he’s amassed that total in no less than 18 league outings. Gallants are currently hovering outside the top 10 but will aim for a top 8 finish and need Dion to find his shooting boots if they are to push up the log. The club are at home to a Swallows side that have kept just a single clean sheet across their previous 5 away league outings.
Sede Junior Dion sends Marumo Gallants into the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup! pic.twitter.com/UcmR5Y8YGF
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) April 9, 2022
Lungu to add to his tally for SuperSport?
Ghampani Lungu has scored 3 goals across his last 5 appearances at Supersport (across all competitions). Matsantsatsa crashed out of the Nedbank after their loss to (non-top flight side) TTM whel they let a two-goal lead slip to go down 3-2. Lungu (6) is the club’s top goal scorer in the league and will be looking to break into double digits before the season is up.
New #DSTVPrem Visual
— Laduma Analytics (@AnalyticsLaduma) April 2, 2022
Which players this season have taken more of their shots from inside the box?
To name a few:
Bienvenu Eva Nga (Chippa Utd)
Peter Shalulile (Sundowns)
Thamsanqa Gabuza (SS Utd)
Ghampani Lungu (SS Utd) pic.twitter.com/nzm8tTBN2U
City dominant at home
Indeed, only Mamelodi Sundowns (32) have scored more goals at home than Cape Town City have (19) from all top-flight clubs – a feat more impressive when we find out that The Citizens have registered the fewest home league appearances (23) this season. They have seen league defeat just once on home soil this season and its this prolific form that have seen them hover just outside the top 4 spots (on goal difference) ahead of this round of fixtures.
M A T C H D A Y ‼️
— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) April 16, 2022
Today we welcome our Citizens back home and seek to make it 5 wins in a row! ⭐️
🆚 Royal AM
🗓 16 April 2022
🏆 #DStvPrem
⌚️ 17:00PM
🏟 DHL Stadium
📺 Televised
🎫 https://t.co/ZedLqhIgIp#iamCityFC pic.twitter.com/RuGsZyj2ef
