Chiefs' search for a clean sheet continues:
How far are they from the PSL record?
After the 1-1 draw with TS Galaxy, Kaizer Chiefs will have to wait until the last game of the year for the possibility of bagging their first clean sheet of the season. They are the only team that has conceded in every game this season, and we tweeted that:
“Chiefs are yet to keep a clean sheet in any of their nine league games this season. In PSL history, only 15 teams have gone longer without a clean sheet from the start of a top-flight season.”
We went through the history books to find out how this side’s lack of clean sheets ranks in PSL history.
Chiefs v Chiefs
Before this season, Chiefs’ worst start without a clean sheet was 3 games. So, when they lost 1-0 to SuperSport in October, they set a new club record of four games without a clean sheet from the start of a season. Since, then, the record has been extended even further.
While nine games without a clean to start the season is alarming, it is by no means the worst in PSL history. Before this run, 15 teams had gone longer without a clean sheet from the start of a top-flight season (they are listed below).
Who holds the record?
2013/14 Golden Arrows hold the PSL record for the longest run without a clean sheet, having to wait until Game 28 for a first shutout. Under Manqoba Mngqthi at first, then Mark Harrison and finally Shaun Bartlett, they conceded 46 goals in their first 27 games of that season. Needless to say, they were relegated that season, although almost survived in the final weeks. They got their first and only clean sheet against Cavin Johnson’s SuperSport United in Game 28, but it was too little too late. This merely delayed their relegation, with a 1-0 loss to AmaZulu in Gameweek 29 confirming their demise.
Chiefs are still 18 games away from that record, so it’s still safe to say there is no need to worry in that regard. The only concern is the final game of the year on the 28th of December, where Chiefs could join a group of 15 clubs that have not kept a clean sheet in their first 10 games of a season (at least).
Teams that have gone 10+ games without a clean sheet from the start of a season in PSL history (ordered alphabetically):
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