Struggles of Kansas City Chiefs in keeping clean sheets (wondering about their historical standings)
A Fresh Take on a Legend's Agony
Ka Bo ya Chiefs! They scraped a draw after a late equalizer against TS Galaxy, leaving their quest for a clean sheet unfulfilled until at least Christmas Eve. This continuous string of conceding goals has become their unfortunate identity this season, and we decided to delve into PSL history to understand their predicament better.
First things first, their opening season game against Marumo Gallants saw them relinquish an early goal, only to bounce back and win 2-1. But it wasn't a one-off occurrence; the habit persisted throughout the initial phase of the season. The maddening streak reached new heights when they extended their record to four games without a clean sheet following their loss to SuperSport.
The opportunity to end this disheartening streak almost materialized against Richards Bay, but a last-minute goal by Yanele Mbuthuma prolonged their misery. Since then, they've only been adding to their woes further.
Going back through time, their last league game without conceding a goal was a 0-0 draw with Polokwane City seven months back. In the Carling Knockout, though, they showed resilience, blanking SuperSport United 4-0. Nevertheless, when it comes to league games, you have to go back to last season to find their last shutout.
Including one game last season, Chiefs have now gone ten games without a clean sheet in the competition. This unfortunate circumstance is not unprecedented in the PSL era, as a total of 15 teams have experienced similar predicaments. However, their current nemesis, Cape Town Spurs, during the 2023/24 season, set that cited record, going 17 games without a clean sheet from the start of a season.
Peering back into the annals of PSL history
If you're a fan of fastidious stats, here's a rundown of the teams that have gone 10 or more games without a clean sheet from the start of a season in PSL history:
- Ajax Cape Town (1999/00 and 2016/17)
- Baroka (2020/21)
- Bush Bucks (1999/00)
- Cape Town Spurs (2023/24)
- Chippa Utd (2020/21)
- Dynamos (1998/99)
- Golden Arrows (2011/12 and 2013/14)
- Highlands (2016/17)
- Moroka Swallows (2010/11 and 2014/15)
- Santos (2011/12)
- Thanda Royal Zulu (2003/04 and 2008/09)
Looking at these numbers, while it's worrying, it's comforting to know that they are not the only team to have experienced this extended run of conceding goals. Perhaps it's a phase they're going through, and we can expect better times ahead for the Soweto giants.
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In the midst of their continuous struggle, the Chiefs have found solace knowing they're not alone in the PSL era. Teams like Ajax Cape Town, Baroka, Bush Bucks, and Cape Town Spurs have also endured similar prolonged periods without a clean sheet. Golden Arrows, Highlands, Moroka Swallows, Santos, Thanda Royal Zulu, and even Chippa Utd have faced this dilemma earlier. As a consequence, the Chiefs' inability to keep a clean sheet for ten games in the competition isn't unparalleled. Wrestling with this setback, hopes remain that better times await the Soweto giants in the PSL, European-leagues, premier-league, sports, and football. Fans can continue to place their bets on the Chiefs, whether it's in the PSL, Carling Cup, Carling Knockout Cup, Editor's Choice, or even the consistent Mamelodi Sundowns, in anticipation of a much-needed turnaround.
