GDL title slipping further from Mamelodi Sundowns

In IsiXhosa there’s an ancient precept, ‘Ungakhwazi ungekaphumi ehlathini’, which means it is unwise to celebrate prematurely.

Perhaps this saying best describes the type of campaign that the Mamelodi Sundowns u19 team has had in the Gauteng Development League (GDL).

The Tshwane-based unit’s fan base and its players might have celebrated a touch too early when they were sitting pretty at the top of the standings, unbeaten in 17 games and with only 16 matches left in the season.

Four weeks later, Sundowns lie third after being leapfrogged by Kaizer Chiefs (1st place) and, more recently, by Highlands Park (2nd place).

However, that slide is not all their own doing. A run of postponed fixtures, including last week’s outing against Tuks, and a loss to Sevens Academy, when they last played, has led to a loss of momentum.

While ‘Downs have slipped down the standings, Highlands Park, slowly but surely, have climbed the ladder.

The “Lions of the North” have had a season whose story has been similar to that of Sundowns, except it has happened in reverse. They had a slow and poor start to their campaign but are now peaking at the right time, at the business end of the competition.

On the weekend, Highlands Park beat Kaizer Chiefs 3-2 away from home to move into second place on the log, only three points behind the Amakhosi and with two games in hand. They’re now well positioned to successfully defend the title they won so impressively in 2023.

In other fixtures, Kathorus Hyper Academy and Panorama FC had to settle for goalless draws against Wits Junior and SuperSport United, respectively.

Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School beat East Rand Athletic Club 2-1, Jomo Cosmos scored a 1-0 win over Joburg City, and Randburg AFC and Sevens Academy tied 2-2.

RESULTS

Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School 2-1 East Rand Athletic Club
Kaizer Chiefs 2-3 Highlands Park
Randburg AFC 2-2 Sevens Academy
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Tuks postponed
Kathorus Hyper Academy 0-0 Wits Junior
Panorama 0-0 SuperSport United
Jomo Cosmos 1-0 Joburg City
Remember Elite Sports Academy vs School of Excellence postponed
NWU Vaal vs TS Galaxy (Not processed as NWU Vaal failed to produce medics and an ambulance)