RESA ready for SAFA Academy, coach Lekhooana affirms
The celebration of Women’s Month by the Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL) is gradually coming to a close – however, one thing is certain, the action across various fields in the Gauteng province are not diminishing.
In fact, the intensity of the action is escalating significantly, with the league’s standings at both the top and bottom beginning to take form.
Mamelodi Sundowns, who have maintained the lead for the majority of this season, are currently at the forefront with 55 points. In contrast, their rivals, SAFA Academy, are trailing by four points, occupying the second position on the table with 51 points.
Both teams have proudly represented their colours, showcasing the excitement and prestige of women’s development in the u17 GWDL division of the league.
Earlier in the season, SAFA Academy demonstrated their strength by defeating the outstanding Brazilians in the first round of the league division. However, Banyana Ba Style, captained by the exceptional midfielder Zinhle Mkhize, sought retribution earlier this month, securing a 1-0 victory over SAFA Academy during the Women’s Day Festival, which was hosted by Refilwe FC at Curro Hazeldean in Pretoria.
This Sunday, at the University of Pretoria Football Fields located in the Hillcrest Campus, the SAFA Academy will face the Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA). This match is expected to be challenging for both teams, as SAFA Academy aims to narrow the gap with Sundowns at the top of the standings, while RESA, who have had a strong season but faced some disappointing moments, seeks to secure a third position, contingent on Highlands Park dropping points or losing their match against JVW FC at Balfour Park on Sunday.
In anticipation of the intense action in Sunday’s GWDL games, SuperSport Schools Plus engaged in a brief discussion with RESA’s coach, Simeon Lekhooana, also known as Coach Solly. Coach Solly informed SuperSport Schools Plus that his team is well-prepared, despite having promoted key players to their Sasol League team, as they aim to enhance positive outcomes in both the GWDL and the Sasol League.
Coach Lekhooana stated that promoting key players to the Sasol League could have a beneficial effect on the u17 GWDL team by providing younger players with opportunities to advance and acquire experience.
Players such as Lesedi Motaung, aged 17, Thuto Rathebe, aged 15, Nthabeleng Molefi, aged 14, Mpumelelo Chabalala, aged 14, and Buhle Mthembu, aged 14, are among those who have been elevated from the RESA development divisions to the Sasol team.
They will be given the opportunity to compete for a place in the first team at a younger age, as RESA is scheduled to face Wits Ladies this coming Saturday in a Sasol league match.
In the GWDL match against SAFA Academy this Sunday, he stated that they are aware of the threat posed by their upcoming opponent. “We must manage the pressure and a formidable attacking force.
Teams like SAFA Academy have concentrated on achieving victories, but we will continue to emphasise the significance of developing players technically, physically, and psychologically to handle every football match, even when it is not against SAFA Academy, while maintaining focus on each game,” he elaborated.
RESA has been one of the teams that have maintained, or rather endeavoured to uphold, a high standard in the GWDL by being a strong force and not an easy team to defeat. Lekhooana informed SuperSport Schools Plus that sustaining a standard for the team is essential for ensuring consistency and motivating the team to keep improving. A robust team culture and well-defined goals can facilitate this.
“All I can say is that we will go strong and focused to that game knowing that SAFA Academy has been doing well on their previous games,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus.
He said that the main focus is to take one game at the time and bring positive results.
Other fixtures that are notably significant this weekend include the log leaders, Sundowns, who will make their way to Dan Kutumela School to confront a struggling Dinoko Rondebult, currently positioned 14th in the standings. After 19 matches, Dinoko FC has achieved only 3 victories and 3 draws, while suffering 13 losses.
On Sunday, they will face a challenging match against coach Rhoda Mulaudzi’s team, which has been demonstrating potential to secure the GWDL title by the end of the season.
Meanwhile, at home, the University of Pretoria (Tuks) will host the visiting team from Roodepoort, Panorama FC. Tuks enters the match with a favourable advantage, as they occupy the seventh position, while Panorama is in 10th place.
Nevertheless, both teams are aware of the competitive nature and strong organisation they possess across all areas of the field, making it a challenging encounter. This match will showcase the strategic coordination of both coaches and a tactical battle between the teams.
Refilwe FC, who may have taken the league by storm with their remarkable performances this year, following a disappointing and educational curve in the previous and maiden season in 2024, will take on Tornado FC at Scelo Stadium on Sunday. Refilwe FC, which recently hosted one of the most significant events on the GWDL calendar, the Women’s Day Festival, has found itself amidst the giants this season, currently occupying the fifth position behind Highlands Park, SAFA Academy, and Mamelodi Sundowns.
In other matches, Edenvale FC will make their way to Tembisa to be hosted by Kenneth FC at Esiqongweni Sports Ground, while Hellenic Falcons FC will take on Kempton Park FC at Laerskool Meyers on Sunday.
u17 GWDL Fixtures: Sunday 24 August
University of Pretoria Football Fields (Hillcrest Campus)
11:30 – SAFA Academy vs RESA
Scelo Stadium
11:30 – Tornado FC vs Refilwe FC
Dan Kutumela School
11:30 – Dinoko FC vs Mamelodi Sundowns FC
Esiqongweni Sports Grounds
11:30 – Edenvale FC vs Kenneth FC
Laerskool Meyers
11:30 – Hellenic FC vs Kempton Park FC
Balfour Park
11:30 – Highlands Park vs JVW FC
