A high-scoring GDL weekend, but Sundowns and Galaxy draw goalless
The weekend’s Gauteng Development League (GDL) action delivered many goals, but the log leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns, were held to a goalless draw by TS Galaxy, at Alex Stadium, on Sunday.
It was a big match for ‘Downs, who are in the thick of the title race alongside Highlands Park, Randburg AFC, Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA), and SuperSport United.
In the lead-up to the weekend’s GDL fixtures, SuperSport Schools Plus spoke with the u19 coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, Kristopher Bergman on Friday.
He discussed the importance of fighting for every point in the GDL and emphasised that there are no gimmes in the league. TS Galaxy, he said, was a formidable team. He was right on the money as the sides settled for a share of the spoils and one point each.
RESA, another of the title contenders, was held to a 2-2 draw by East Rand Athletic Club on Saturday. SuperSport United, meanwhile, decisively defeated bottom of the table Elspark United Academy 5-0 at Curro Sagewood.
It was a dominant outing from SuperSport, who opened their account through Orifha Maubelo off an assist from Thokozani Mabena. Maubelo struck again to make it 2-0. This time, he was assisted by Tlotliso Makgai, who was again involved and set up Tshiamo Selemela for SuperSport’s third.
The exceptional Makgai made it a hat-trick of assists by aiding David Stober to score a fourth goal, and Stober made it a brace to complete the scoring, with Mpho Nteu laying on the scoring chance.
Coach Skhosiphi Mgobhozi’s team from Randburg AFC picked up a 2-0 victory over the University of Pretoria (Tuks), with Jason Oliver and Onaishe Nyasvimbo netting to tighten up the intensifying GDL title race.
The reigning champions, Highlands Park, had a hectic schedule, playing on both Saturday and Sunday, but they demonstrated their championship pedigree by emerging from that challenge with full points.
On Saturday, the Lions of the North edged out Joburg City 1-0, with Daniel Waisman scoring the match-winner. Then, on Sunday, they returned to the field and scored a 3-0 win over Tuks, who went down for the second time on the weekend.
In other matches, Jomo Cosmos played to a 1-1 draw to take points off of high-flying Kathorus Hyper Academy, who have been on an impressive winning streak. Sabelo Makhanya scored the only goal for EzeNkosi, while Ayabonga Dlamini found the back of the net for Kathorus.
In a thriller, Rockefvs and Panorama FC, went end-to-end in an entertaining 3-3 draw.
The School of Excellence, which has seemingly lost its edge in recent seasons, bagged a heartening win. Last week, they had suffered a heavy 1-4 defeat against Kaizer Chiefs. On Saturday, though, they walked away with a 3-1 victory over Wits Junior.
To their credit, Wits bounced back on Sunday with a resounding 3-0 victory over Joburg City, who suffered back-to-back defeats on the weekend.
Chiefs, meanwhile, picked up three points after a 4-2 win over Seven’s Academy.
RESULTS
Saturday, 30 August
Kathorus Hyper Academy 1-1 Jomo Cosmos
Rockefvs 3-3 Panorama FC
RESA 2-2 East Rand Athletic Club
Randburg AFC 2-0 Tuks
School of Excellence 3-1 Wits
Highlands Park 1-0 Joburg City
Kaizer Chiefs 4-2 Seven’s Academy
SuperSport United 5-0 Elspark United
Sunday, 31 August
Wits 3-0 Joburg City
Highlands Park 3-0 Tuks
Mamelodi Sundowns 0-0 TS Galaxy
