Can Mamelodi Sundowns keep momentum after forced hiatus? | Gauteng Development League | Round 24 Wrap

The u19 division of the Gauteng Development League was rocked with the passing of Mfundo Bophelo, a long serving Supersport United Academy administrator thus leading to the rescheduling of the most anticipated fixture of the weekend against archrivals Mamelodi Sundowns.

The GDL had a rather sad start to round 24 as the league’s coordinator Mr Muzi Shangase announced the rescheduling of the Supersport United and Mamelodi Sundowns clash.

Not only was this a massive clash in terms of the U19 log standings, it is also a rivalry between two Pretoria-based teams that always attracts attention to the growing league.

The rescheduling was in response to the passing of Mfundo Bophelo, an admin staff at Supersport United Academy.

In the context of the log standings, this has meant that both teams have a game-in-hand but as we all know in football – momentum is key and having had an unexpected stop to their campaign, it becomes a growing concern whether or not Sundowns will be negatively impacted by the rescheduling.

In other fixtures of the division, Highlands Park picked up where they left-off with a ten-nil mauling of the struggling Jomo Cosmos outfit, extending their lead at the top of the log to four points.

Remember, Jomo Sono bought the old Highlands Park team back in 1983 and turned it into Jomo Cosmos FC, thus declaring every encounter featuring the two teams a personal and emotional clash for the two clubs’ owners.

On the other hand, Kaizer Chiefs and Randburg AFC were able to keep their spots in the top five with 2-nil and 3-nil victories over TUKS and Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School respectively.

School of Excellence FC kept their spot in the top five of the log despite suffering a 2-1 loss to the Pretige Football Development Academy, while Joburg City’s struggles in the U19 division continue to be vividly displayed in their bottom of the log placing having lost over 60% of their season fixtures.

However, the U17 division remains a Supersport United dominated campaign.

Despite not playing over the weekend, the Pretoria-based team kept its position at the top of the log, enjoying a ten-point lead over second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns U17.

Furthermore, Kaizer Chiefs locked horns with TUKS over the weekend and despite Chiefs’ good form in the league, the trip to Pretoria was never going to be an easy task.

Despite TUKS’ famous fighting spirit, the Soweto giants stumped their authority over the hosts with a 4-1 victory away from home to take them to 49 points in the league, 11 behind log leaders. 

Chiefs, Randburg AFC, and Kathorus Hyper Academy fill the remaining three spots of the top five of the U17 division while Kagiso Porto remain bottom of the log with only a single victory this season.  

The action is set to return on 26 August as the league draws closer to its conclusion.