Sundowns, Chiefs restore order in the Gauteng Development League
In a year of firsts in the world of sports, underdogs have toppled giants across various sporting codes to earn the highest honours, the big guns of the Gauteng Development League (GDL), Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, denied SuperSport United and Wits Junior from achieving the same feat on the weekend.
Throughout the GDL season, it has seemed that the u19 division would follow a similar storyline of smaller teams dominating the league, with the likes of Randburg AFC and Joburg City registering some of the season’s most shocking victories.
Though SuperSport United is by no means a smaller team, relative to Mamelodi Sundowns, they certainly are. The Pretoria clubs met at the Eskom Megawatt Park, on Sunday, with coach Tumelo Ndaba‘s United favoured to win based on their good form leading into the fixture.
Coach Surprise Moriri‘s Mamelodi Sundowns would have been wary of United but confident at the same time, as they, too, had enjoyed a good run into the clash.
The home team made the better start, though, with SuperSport United’s Thando Mkhwanazi striking after a defence-piercing assist from playmaker Tlotliso Makgai.
However, the Brazilians were just too strong on the day, replying three times to take the honours in the Tshwane derby by a 3-1 margin.
With the victory, Mamelodi Sundowns moved from second in the standings to the top of the pile, taking over from Randburg AFC.
On Saturday, coach David Mathebula and Kaizer Chiefs faced Wits Junior at the Kaizer Chiefs Village.
Chiefs were in sixth place ahead of the match. Mathebula’s side needed a victory, but they knew, given the stubborn nature of the Wits Junior side this season, it was going to take an all-out effort to pick up the three points on offer.
As expected, Wits Junior were full of hustle and bustle, giving Chiefs all they could handle while scoring an impressive four goals at the Village.
Chiefs, though, were equally determined not to lose at home and they rustled up five goals in reply to win an entertaining contest 5-4.
With momentum on their side after their victories over the weekend, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns next face Joburg City and Elspark United Academy this week.
For SuperSport United and Wits Junior, their mission will be simple: bounce back with wins.
Results
Kaizer Chiefs 5-4 Wits Junior
Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 SuperSport United
