Has the biggest challenge faced by Mamelodi Sundowns, the absence of Lucas Ribeiro Costa, been addressed with the elevation of Arthur Sales? KickOff looks at what the statistics tell us.
It's fair to say Sundowns was largely carried by two players last season, Costa and Iqraam Rayners, as the pair's combined goals in the Betway Premiership (30) represented 46% of the total netted by the side.
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The burly striker has continued from where he left off from last term, scoring four in six matches in all competitions so far.
But with the Tshwane giants out of the MTN8 and in an unfamiliar third position on the log, what is lacking is the replacement of goals scored by Ribeiro.
Sales has been given the responsibility that was carried by the 26-year-old as a number 10, but the team's shaky start shows playing in that role has to come with balls in the back of the net.
The lanky marksman has managed only one goal in his six matches and with no other forward raising his hand, supporters and pundits are left wondering whether Peter Shalulile, all-time joint leading goal-scorer in the PSL, could be of more value during these times.
The 23-year-old appears to have lifted his game, as he was rated the best Sundowns player with a mark of 8,1/10 by performance data in a 2-0 win over AmaZulu FC and was picked by statistics as the best performer for the side in a lethargic goalless draw against Kaizer Chiefs with a rating of 7,2/10.
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Shalulile has been a reliable goal-scorer over the years, but head coach Miguel Cardoso's seeming preference of technical ability over the raw talent of scoring goals could have the defending champions missing the stylish left-footer for long this season.
Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
