Dull draws as dearth of goals hurts Premiership

Sy Lerman

Draws galore have emerged as a disquieting phenomenon on the PSL’s landscape, with approximately 40% of all Premiership matches this season ending in such stalemates.

At the same time, the number of goals overall have decreased to an average of less than two per game in a drought akin to some of the parched land in the Cape.

There can be no doubt that these anomalies are intertwined and are equally disturbing, culminating in a steady increase – apart from the odd special attraction – of yawning, stay-away spectators.

Platinum Stars, for example, have scored only five times in their 11 matches and Maritzburg United have only five from nine.

But even more incredulous is that defending champions Bidvest Wits University have managed only six scoring efforts in 10 matches while sliding down to the bottom.

At the same time, a general levelling of teams’ standings has enabled such unlikely candidates as Baroka FC and Golden Arrows to emerge at the top of the title contenders.

Significant too is that suffering from the dearth of goals as much as anyone are the long-time favourites Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, who have seemingly lost their way while attempting to guide the ball into the net.

On an average, Sundowns remain entrenched as the PSL’s most prolific scorers, but with 13 goals from eight games even they have failed to reach a two-goal per game ratio.

Also some deplorable and timid finishing – which has sifted though to Bafana Bafana at international level – is credited to players not spending more time brushing up their scoring prowess with more dedicated practice.