There have been 198 goals scored in exactly 100 games in the DStv Premiership this season, an average that has slightly dipped below the two-goals-per-game mark.
It leaves the 2023/24 campaign on course for a record low number of goals, but there is a long way to go and many twists and turns yet in the season.
What is interesting at this point is to see assess the potency in front of goal of each of the 16 topflight clubs and who is finding the back of the net with more regularity … and who is not.
Only seven clubs are averaging a goal a game or more this term, with the other nine struggling below that mark.
The reasons for this are always varies, it is not just about strikers missing chances.
Better tactical set-ups, coaches playing not to lose rather than win and a lack of creativity in midfield are all factors.
There will be no surprises for guessing who the team on top of the pile is.
Mamelodi Sundowns are currently averaging exactly 2.00 goals per game, with 20 scored in their 10 fixtures so far. That is head and shoulders above the rest.
There may be some surprise at the team next on the list though – Lamontville Golden Arrows have 15 goals in 12 games for 1.25 per match. Beware Abafana Bes’thende....
Cape Town City and SuperSport United (both 1.23 goals per game) share third position, with Stellenbosch FC (1.15) behind them.
The only other two clubs to (narrowly) manage a goal a game are Orlando Pirates (1.08) and Kaizer Chiefs (1.00).
Both those Soweto giants will expect more in the second half of the season.
But for the rest it has been a real struggle. Richards Bay sit bottom of the pile having netted on average 0.62 goals per match, while Chippa United and AmaZulu (both 0.69) are next.
The next two match for interesting reading. Cape Town Spurs have a paltry three points this season and Polokwane City a respectable 17, yet both have averaged 0.77 goals per game this term.
The difference? One has managed to stay relatively defensively sound and the other not. Spurs have conceded 27 times and City just 12.
The rest are sitting in mid-table mediocrity – TS Galaxy (0.83), Royal AM (0.92), Moroka Swallows (0.92) and Sekhukhune United (0.92).
GOALS PER GAME IN THE 2023/24 DSTV PREMIERSHIP SEASON
Mamelodi Sundowns - 2,00
Golden Arrows - 1,25
Cape Town City - 1,23
SuperSport United - 1,23
Stellenbosch - 1,15
Orlando Pirates - 1,08
Kaizer Chiefs - 1,00
Sekhukhune United - 0,92
Moroka Swallows - 0,92
Royal AM - 0,92
TS Galaxy - 0,83
Polokwane City - 0,77
Cape Town Spurs - 0,77
AmaZulu - 0,69
Chippa United - 0,69
Richards Bay - 0,62
*After 100 matches played
