Daniella Human’s seven goals light up GWDL opening weekend
With the knockout Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL) Top 8 competition done and dusted a week earlier, the GWDL league season kicked off on Sunday.
Mamelodi Sundowns, despite a stiff challenge from the South African Football Association (SAFA) Academy, won the u17 division in 2025, and they showed that they remain the team to beat with a winning start to their campaign.
While Banyana Ba Style cruised to three points with a comfortable 3-0 win over Kenneth FC, their counterparts from Pretoria, the University of Pretoria (Tuks) and Refilwe, also secured all three points in their respective matches.
Tuks faced the newcomers, Black Diamond Sports (BDS), and matched Sundowns with a 3-0 win. Daniella Human initiated the scoring, then netted her second goal with an assist from Landela Gogontle. Zanokuhle Nkosi completed the scoring with a stunning free kick.
Refilwe surged to a big 6-1 victory over Hellenic Falcons, with Thando Mndaweni striking twice and Dineo Kgomosotho, Titelo Modika, Linamandla Bahlehle, and Mbali Madondo also getting their names on the score sheet.
In other matches, Panorama claimed a hard-fought 2-1 victory over JVW, while TS Galaxy and Chadi Puse Ladies, both newcomers to the league, shared the points after concluding their match in a 1-1 stalemate.
In the u15 division, Tuks continued their u17 counterparts’ winning momentum with a 7-0 victory over BDS. Human, who netted twice for the u17 team, ran wild for the u15 side. She put Tuks ahead with an assist from Buhlebendalo Mahlalela, but that was merely the first of five goals.
Her second was a lone effort, while Vuxongi Makumbia set Human up for her third. Then, Nthabiseng Mahlangu laid on another opportunity, which Human converted to make it 4-0.
Mahlalela, who had assisted on the opening goal for Tuks, also found the net herself, with help from Sinokubonga Sibanyoni.
The Pretoria side’s sixth involved Human, this time as a provider, while Mahlalela provided the finish to bag her brace.
Fittingly, the seventh and last goal of the match was netted by Human, who slotted after being set up by Kamogelo Tlhako.
Refilwe also put on an exceptional performance in the u15 division, outplaying Hellenic Falcons 4-0.
Kgothatso Babedi spearheaded their effort with two goals, while Ziyanda Khalipha and Mbali Madondo each contributed one. Just like Human of Tuks, Madondo also played in the u17 match and scored a goal.
Panorama continued their winning streak by defeating JVW 3-0, while Sundowns clawed their way to a close 2-1 victory despite a strong challenge from Kenneth FC. TS Galaxy was a 2-0 winner over Chadi Puse Ladies.
In the u13 division, JVW began their title defence with a 3-0 victory against Panorama, which made them the only team to beat Panorama on the day.
Mamelodi Sundowns grabbed the spotlight, though, with a one-sided 14-0 victory over Kenneth. Chadi Puse Ladies also picked up an easy three points, but theirs came by way of a walkover victory over TS Galaxy.
Refilwe ran out 5-1 winners over Hellenic, with Owam Zihlangu and Lesedi Masilela netting two goals each, while Tekana Kekana contributed the fifth.
Tuks, whose teams maintained a flawless winning record similar to that of Sundowns, won 4-0 against BDS.
u17 RESULTS
Tuks 3-0 BDS
Chadi Puse Ladies 1-1 TS Galaxy
JVW 2-1 Panorama
Refilwe 6-1 Hellenic
Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 Kenneth
u15 RESULTS
TS Galaxy 2-0 Chadi Puse Ladies
Tuks 7-0 BDS
Panorama 3-0 JVW
Refilwe 4-0 Hellenic
Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 Kenneth
u13 RESULTS
Chadi Puse Ladies vs TS Galaxy (Walkover win for BDS)
Tuks 4-0 BDS
JVW 3-0 Panorama
Refilwe 5-1 Hellenic
Mamelodi Sundowns 14-0 Kenneth
