Breaking down the GDL by the numbers: goals and assists
Three weeks into the 2026 Gauteng Development League (GDL) season, the statistics are impressive, with 75 goals already recorded in the u19 division.
Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools
Siwelele, the former SuperSport United, is currently atop the division, with three wins and nine points after an impressive start to their campaign.
Any uncertainties that may have surrounded Siwelele have been quickly dispelled. Still, a long journey awaits them, with the 2026 champions set to be crowned in November.
The title-holders, Mamelodi Sundowns, are in third place after suffering a defeat in week two, when they lost 0-1 against Randburg, for whom Junior Mutunga scored the only goal of the match.
Last season’s runner-up, Highlands Park, who won the title in 2023 and 2024, have made a poor start and, surprisingly, prop up the table after three matches. They’ve scored only once while conceding six times.
In the past, the Lions of the North have made slow starts before building powerful momentum, which carried them to the title. But none of those starts have been as rough as the first three matches of their 2026 campaign. Although the sample size is small, there are valid concerns about the regular title contenders.
Sfiso Mnguni, the coach of Highlands Park, told SuperSport Schools Plus last year, shortly after narrowly losing out on the title, that he intended to promote younger players to the u19 division. That could explain the club’s sluggish start. Mnguni’s squad has an opportunity to reverse their fortunes this coming weekend when they take on the Prestige Football Development Academy.
Prestige has also made a stuttering start, losing two and drawing one match, while Highlands Park has no points after three defeats. For both sides, their weekend clash offers a chance to bag a first win and an opportunity to get in on the goal-scoring action.
Sharp Shooters after three weeks
This season, Bafana Ba Style and Kaizer Chiefs lead the goal-scoring tallies with eight goals each. Both have demonstrated strong attacking depth. Sundowns’ Tebogo Moreri is the team’s top scorer, with his performances highlighted by a hat-trick in a 5-0 win over Rockefvs.
Moreri is not the sole player to have scored a hat-trick this season. Msimango, from Chiefs, also scored three times in a 6-2 win over Randburg last weekend. Moreri and Msimango are being chased by RESA’s Bandile Sithole, who scored a brace against Panorama.
While goal scorers tend to capture the spotlight, they need others to put them in a position to score. Sivuziwe Lonzi, from Sundowns, provided a pair in his side’s 5-0 win over Rockefs. His teammate, Kgaogelo Monanyane, also has two assists so far, while Thando Singo and Junior Masoeu have contributed one each.
Despite being the GDL’s leading scorers, both Chiefs and Sundowns have already lost a game each in the first three matches of the season. The log leaders, Siwelele, have scored seven times and conceded only twice.
They’ve enjoyed contributions from different players. including Siyabonga Msimango, and Lebohang Mobe. They were both on the scoresheet in Siwelele’s season-opening 2-0 win over Jomo Cosmos.
The Pretoria club’s standout players thus far include Lwande Yende, who scored against Wits Junior. Mobe and Msimango also bagged their second goals in Siwelele’s 3-2 win over the Johannesburg club. Onthathile Lemao laid on two of those goals, while Unathi Achusi set up the other.
In week four of the GDL, Kaizer Chiefs face a tough challenge on Sunday from the unbeaten Kathorus Hyper Academy, who dropped points in their first match, a draw against Prestige. They’ve added two wins since then.
Siwelele will be focused on extending their lead at the top. They tackle the Africa School of Excellence, which has recorded one win, one loss, and one draw in three outings. Siwelele heads into the clash favoured to score a fourth victory in succession.
On Saturday, ‘Downs, tackle Jomo Cosmos. EzeNkosi, who are in 10th place, also have one win, one loss, and one draw from three matches.
FIXTURES
Saturday, 28 March
Future of Africa vs Seven’s Academy
Siwelele vs Africa School of Excellence
Tuks vs Rockefvs
Wits Junior vs RESA
East Rand Athletic Club vs Randburg
Highlands Park vs Prestige
Joburg City vs Panorama
Jomo Cosmos vs Mamelodi Sundowns
Sunday, 29 March
Kaizer Chiefs vs Kathorus Hyper Academy
- Dayyan Fudu scores his first goal for Durban City - 2026-03-29
- Breaking down the GDL by the numbers: goals and assists - 2026-03-27
- Khaya Mngwengwe takes over as Chairperson of KZNHSFA - 2026-03-24
