where football shifted from recording only fundamental data, such as goals, scorers and fouls, towards the world of analysis and metrics seen today. As such, it was always emotive and disliked by traditionalists. "You get this a lot with data," says New York Times columnist Rory Smith, who has written a book on football and data. "It's the same with xG [expected goals]. XG is a familiar concept to anyone who watches football. It's a way of saying, 'We had more and better chances than you." But because it has a sciencey name and the Americans came up with it, it's perceived as pretentious."
PSL ASSIST KINGS
Assists statistics are now available for the DStv Premiership, but are still a little sketchy... and certainly unofficial.
The PSL does not record them, but data providers do. Last season, it is claimed Khama Billiat (right) had the most assists: eight for Kaizer Chiefs.
In 2020/21 it was Augustine Mulenga of AmaZulu with nine and in the 2019/20 campaign, Lebogang Manyama from Chiefs with nine.
This story is from the April 2023 edition of Soccer Club.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2023 edition of Soccer Club.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
WORLD CUP DREAM BURNS BRIGHT
Neil Tovey Former Bafana Bafana captain
CONTINENTAL QUEENS
AS BANYANA BANYANA WAIT TO DEFEND THEIR TITLE AT THE WOMEN'S AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS, WE LOOK BACK AT THEIR PAST PERFORMANCES IN THE COMPETITION
TABLE TOPPERS
THE TOP 10 IN THE ALL-TIME PSL TABLE SINCE THE START OF THE 1996/97 SEASON MAKES FOR INTERESTING READING
WHO ARE BAYER LEVERKUSEN?
'Invincible' Bayer Leverkusen swept to a maiden German Bundesliga title in 2023/24. But who are they?
SET-PIECE SECRET
THE THROW-IN MAY SEEM A MUNDANE PART OF FOOTBALL, BUT THERE IS MUCH MORE TO IT THAN MEETS THE EYE
PSL SHARPSHOOTERS
AS THE NEW 2024/25 SEASON BEGINS, BOTH BRADLEY GROBLER AND PETER SHALULILE CAN TAKE AIM AT THE PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE'S GOALSCORING RECORD AS WE RUN DOWN THE TOP MARKSMEN SINCE 1996
BALANCING THE BOOKS
CAPE TOWN CITY HAVE TO FOREVER SELL PLAYERS TO BREAK EVEN. HERE ARE 11 TOP STARS THEY HAVE ALLOWED TO LEAVE IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS
INTO THE BIG TIME
CLINTON LARSEN HAS LED LITTLE KNOWN LIMPOPO CLUB MAGESI FC TO THE ELITE LEAGUE OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL
REDEMPTION
THEMBINKOSI LORCH FACES ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SEASONS IN HIS CAREER IN 2024/25
AFRICA'S PIONEERS
AFRICA'S INFLUENCE ON ELITE EUROPEAN FOOTBALL IS NOT A NEW THING