After Kaizer Chiefs emerged from their slump with back-to-back wins in
the Betway Premiership, PSLSA takes a statistical look at the players who
proved instrumental in the team’s turnaround.
Chiefs had been enduring one of their worst runs, equaling a club record of
four consecutive defeats across all competitions. They had never lost five
in a row in the PSL era, and avoided making that unwanted piece of history
by edging Durban City 1–0 before beating Magesi FC 2–0 on Saturday.
Makabi Lilepo scored the winner against Durban City, while Wandile Duba and
Mfundo Vilakazi were on target in the victory over Magesi.
Lilepo has been central to the revival, contributing in both matches. In
addition to his goal against City, the Democratic Republic of Congo forward
provided the assist for Duba’s strike against Magesi. Though he did not
score in that fixture, Lilepo posed the greatest attacking
threat—registering six shots (one on target) and recording the most touches
in the opposition box (seven) while operating in a central striking role.
Chiefs had previously been without the likes of Mduduzi Shabalala, while
Wandile Duba made only a brief appearance in the lethargic Soweto derby loss
to Orlando Pirates. Both players have since shown signs of rediscovering
their form.
Shabalala, making his first start since late January against Durban City,
provided a renewed attacking spark. He registered the most shots for
Amakhosi in that match, with six attempts (two on target). Meanwhile,
Duba—starting a game for the first time since October last year—offered a
fresh attacking dimension, completing the most successful dribbles (67%) and
recording the most touches in the opposition box (six).
Statistics, however, do not tell the full story. Lebohang Maboe was named
the official Man of the Match in both fixtures. He was particularly
influential against Magesi, where he registered the most touches (92) and
boasted a 100% success rate in tackles won.
