Struggles of Kansas City Chiefs in maintaining clean sheets (and their historical ranking assessed)
Revised Article:
Soweto Giants Stumble Again: The Injury-Time Equalizer
Scored by Ranga Chivaviro in the dying minutes, the Soweto giants managed to salvage a point against TS Galaxy, but at a cost: their season-long clean-sheet drought continues.
While their latest conceded goal means they'll have to wait until Christmas Eve for a chance at their first clean sheet, the Chiefs don't hold this ignominious record alone. In PSL history, they join a roster of teams struggling to keep opponents at bay.
Betting Tips for the 2024/25 Season
Following their opening-game goal conceded against Marumo Gallants, the Chiefs' season-opening defensive woes have persisted. They've set a new club record by going four games without a clean sheet from the start of a season, and a prolonged wait even continued after Matchday 6.
The team's current run of nine games without a clean sheet is concerning, but it's not the longest in PSL history. Before this streak, 15 teams had gone longer without a shutout to start a top-flight season.
The Hall of Shame: Longest Streaks Without a Clean Sheet
- 1999/00 Ajax Cape Town
- 2016/17 Ajax Cape Town
- 2020/21 Baroka
- 1999/00 Bush Bucks
- 2023/24 Cape Town Spurs
- 2020/21 Chippa Utd
- 1998/99 Dynamos
- 2011/12 Golden Arrows
- 2013/14 Golden Arrows
- 2016/17 Highlands
- 2010/11 Moroka Swallows
- 2014/15 Moroka Swallows
- 2011/12 Santos
- 2003/04 Thanda Royal Zulu
- 2008/09 Thanda Royal Zulu
Curiously, the longest streak without a clean sheet in PSL history was held by the 2013/14 Golden Arrows, who went 17 games without a clean sheet. The PSL record for the longest run without a clean sheet is an eye-opening 28 games, achieved by the 2020/21 Baroka. And, as history may suggest, relegation often follows such poor defensive performances.
A Look Back: Chiefs' Leaky defense
Despite their ongoing struggles, the Chiefs did manage a notable achievement in the Carling Knockout, keeping a clean sheet against SuperSport United. However, you have to go back to last season's penultimate game, nearly seven months ago, to find a league match where they didn't concede.
This puts the total number of games Chiefs have gone without a shutout in the league at 11—a record they've set not once, but twice in the PSL era. While this streak isn't the longest in PSL history, it's certainly one that calls for urgent attention.
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- The Chiefs' recent equalizer against TS Galaxy has prolonged their season-long clean-sheet drought, a record they now share with several other teams in PSL history.
- In the upcoming 2024/25 season, sports enthusiasts might want to consider betting on football matches involving teams with strong defenses, as the Chiefs' current 9-game streak without a clean sheet is concerning.
- The record for the longest run without a clean sheet in PSL history was held by the 2013/14 Golden Arrows, who managed 17 games without one.
- If the Chiefs' defense continues to leak goals, they may find themselves following in the footsteps of teams like the 2020/21 Baroka, who held the record for the longest run without a clean sheet at a staggering 28 games.
- In European-leagues and the Premier League, teams with solid defenses often fare better, a lesson the Chiefs might want to learn from as they prepare for the upcoming season.
- The Chiefs' last league game without conceding a goal was nearly seven months ago, a fact that underscores the urgency of addressing their defensive issues.
