There is a distinct pattern emerging in the DStv Premiership this season for Mamelodi Sundowns, making it a game of two halves for the table-topping Brazilians.

Coach Rulani Mokwena’s side have scored 23 goals in the topflight this campaign, and 17 of those have come in the first half. That is 74%, or almost three quarters of their goals.

It is that ability to get into the front foot and put opponents under immediate pressure that has seen them win 11 of their first 12 games (D1) this campaign.
Sundowns have scored the highest percentage of first half goals this season, but not by all that much.

Cape Town Spurs have scored 73% of their modest tally of 11 goals in the opening period, while Orlando Pirates’ number sits at 71%. No-one else has managed more than Polokwane City’s 58%.

The lowest percentage of first half scorers is the trio of Kaizer Chiefs, SuperSport United and Chippa United, who have all scored only 33%, or a third, of their goals in the opening half of games, doing most of their good work in the second period.

They are, therefore, the highest percentage scorers in the second half and Sundowns actually the lowest in the whole division.

Three teams have managed an even spread of first and second half goals – Cape Town City, Sekhukhune United and Moroka Swallows have all managed the same number in each stanza.

Sundowns (17) and Pirates (12) are the only teams to have reached double-figures for first half goals, while the lowest tally is four from Richards Bay, AmaZulu and Chippa United.

Cape Town Spurs have the lowest number of goals in the second half of games having managed only three this campaign. SuperSport (14) are the highest followed by Chiefs (10).