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FootballThe Top 5 Most Important DStv Premiership Statistics Going Into the AFCON Break
- The DStv Premiership pauses of over a month with Mamelodi Sundowns six points clear at the top
- Cape Town City and SuperSport United are the best of the rest with City second on goal difference
- Cape Town Spurs st rock bottom and look destined to face relegation with just one win this season
Club loyalists will feel an odd void in the coming weeks.
Attention shifts to Africa's elite when 24 national teams head to Ivory Coast to fight for the title of continental kings.
The DStv Premiership is just creeping past the halfway stage and the six-week AFCON break will allow teams to refuel for the second half of the challenge.
Sports Brief looks at the stats that matter as the DStv Premiership takes its mandated pause, as per FBRef and TransferMarkt.
The top 5 DStv Premiership stats
1. Most minutes played
Just four minutes separate the top three most trusted starters in the league. Riaan Hanamub trails Polokwane City pair Tholo Matuludi and Lebohang Nkaki who have played every minute for Rise and Shine.
Matuludi and Nkaki have started and finished all 16 of City's DStv Premiership fixtures, with them each scoring one goal.
2. Nationality with the most representation
The DStv Premiership is overwhelmingly a South African league. While 33 other nations are represented, no nation has more than seven. Of the 452 players in the league, just short of 85% are South African.
Nigeria has the most representatives with seven while neighbours Namibia have six. Ivory Coast and Zimbabwe have five each and Tanzania and Cameroon have four each.
3. Worst Disciplined
A total of 16 players have received their marching orders this season but no player has been sent off more than once. TS Galaxy's Marks Munyai has collected yellow cards, with seven to his name.
Which is the best football club in Africa, and why is it the best?
FootballChippa United are the most ill-disciplined team, with 42 yellow cards and three reds. Amazulu are next, with two reds and 34 yellows, including five for both Ethan Brooks and Mbongeni Gumede.
4. Most clean sheets
Mamelodi Sundowns have only conceded three goals in their 13 games, making Ronwen Williams the easy pick for the most clean sheets.
Cape Town City rival, Darren Keet is not far away from Williams' nine, having been unbeaten on eight occasions. Close behind is Standley Nwabili with seven.
5. Most impactful in front of goal
Khanyisa Mayo, Lucas Ribeiro and Bradley Grobler are tied for the most goals on seven, with Higor Vidal the most creative with four assists.
Mayo and Ribeiro have relied on spot-kicks to increase their tally, but Grobler has scored all seven of his goals from open play. Mamelodi Sundowns' Ribeiro has been the most impactful with 0.94 goal contributions per 90 minutes.
Rulani Mokwena Compares Sundowns to Two EPL Giants After Defeating Pyramids in CAF Champions League
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The Carling Knockout All-Star XI
Sports Brief recently reported on the team voted for by the fans to contest the Carling Knockout All-Star game.
Jose Riveiro has been selected to lead the team from the touchline with the squad featuring a host of young talent.
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates make up the bulk of the squad with Amazulu making up the three non-Soweto spots.