GDL weekend clouded by player’s passing
The weekend’s action in round 18 of the Gauteng Development League (GDL) was overshadowed by a tragic incident in a Stream B match between Jacaranda Callies and West Youth Academy at the Laudium Sports Field in Centurion.
During the match, 15-year-old Thlokomelo Phasa, of West Youth Academy, was struck at close range in the chest from a shot on goal. He dropped to the ground, unconscious. Medics, who were on the scene, tried to resuscitate him, but to no avail.
The GDL announced the news on its various social media platforms, stating: “Sad news in [the] Gauteng Development League as a player [has] lost his life. [We] have confirmed that the [West Youth] Academy has lost one of its players, Tlhokomelo Phasa, while [he was] on duty.”
Meanwhile, in Soweto, Kaizer Chiefs hosted a confident Rosina Sedibane Modiba unit, with the Amakhosi intent on loosening Mamelodi Sundowns‘ tight hold on the top spot in the standings.
The Pretoria team gave them a good fight, but the Soweto giants had Rosina’s number at Naturena, registering a 2-1 victory to move within five points of ‘Downs at the summit.
A long list of games was postponed for a variety of reasons, which meant Sundowns, Randburg AFC, East Rand Athletic Club, School of Excellence, Jomo Cosmos, and Tuks weren’t in action.
TS Galaxy outclassed Wits Junior, winning 3-0, to further compound the relegation concerns of Wits in a Saturday showdown.
NWU Vaal lost 1-2 to Panorama FC, while, in a bit of an upset, Kathorus Hyper Academy pulled off a 3-2 win over Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA).
Third placed Highlands Park kept their challenge rolling along with a tight 2-1 victory over SuperSport United.
The weekend’s schedule was completed on Sunday with a meeting between Joburg City and Sevens Academy, which Joburg won by a 3-1 margin.
U19 Results
Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School
NWU Vaal 0-1 Panorama FC
Kathorus Hyper Academy 3-2 RESA
Highlands Park 2-1 SuperSport United
Wits Junior 0-3 TS Galaxy
Joburg City 3-1 Sevens Academy
East Rand Athletic vs Tuks (postponed)
Jomo Cosmos vs School of Excellence (postponed)
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Randburg AFC (postponed)
