Highlands Park and Sundowns set to dazzle GDL in Sunday showdown
The Gauteng Development League (GDL) makes a grand return after a break for the Easter weekend with a showdown between the reigning champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, and last year’s runners-up, Highlands Park, the league champions in 2023 and 2024, at Clapham High School.
Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools
It has been, thus far, a disappointing start for Sfiso Mnguni’s Lions of the North. Typically, Highlands Park has started slowly, but they began the 2026 season with three successive losses before picking up a win against Prestige Football Development Academy in their most recent outing.
The biggest problem for Highlands Park has been goal scoring. They netted only once in their first three matches while conceding six times.
Against Prestige, they scored twice and kept a clean sheet, with Hope Sibande and Hlogi Masenya slotting for the regular title contenders.
While Highlands Park doesn’t usually depend on a conventional goal scorer to lead their attack, Mnguni will be calling for more of the same from Sibande and Masenya, and would like to see others step up, especially against Bafana Ba Style.
‘Downs have also fallen below their usual standards early in the season, and they find themselves in seventh position, with six points from three games. Highlands Park lies 13th with four points.
The clash at Clapham will offer both clubs an opportunity to kick-start their title challenges and – given their lofty status in 2025 and outstanding pedigree – an intense, high-quality game is expected.
The game will be broadcast live on SuperSport Schools and on DStv channel 216 for those unable to attend in Pretoria.
More points are on the line
The current log leaders, Siwelele, tackle the ninth-placed Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) at President Park Stadium in Vereeniging. Siwelile (the former SuperSport United) has a full haul of 12 points from four outings, with Joburg City in second place on nine points.
Joburg City takes on Kathorus Hyper Academy at Huntersfield. They’ll be eager to keep the pressure on Siwelele with a win, and to also keep Randburg and Rockefvs at bay. They both have nine points, but trail Joburg City on goal difference.
Randburg, coming off a 0-2 defeat to Cape Town Spurs in the final of the Pat Connolly Mid Section of the Bayhill Premier Cup, will be motivated to bounce back with a victory.
Back from Cape Town, they host the University of Pretoria (Tuks) at the Randburg Sports Complex.
At the Associação Da Comunidade Portuguesa De Pretória, the 15th-placed Seven’s Academy, which earned promotion from the Gauteng Development Promotional League to GDL in 2024, has struggled to establish itself in the GDL. Nonetheless, two seasons later, they remain in the league.
On Saturday, they welcome Rockefvs. Their match should be challenging and unpredictable.
At the Naturena Village, Kaizer Chiefs will enjoy home ground advantage against Jomo Cosmos.
The East Rand Athletic Club travels to Roodepoort to play Panorama at the Panorama Sports Club, while Prestige takes on Wits Junior at Hoërskool Die Burger.
At Esslin Park, the Africa School of Excellence faces Future of Africa.
FIXTURES
Saturday, 11 April
15:00
Africa School of Excellence vs Future of Africa
Rockefvs vs Seven’s Academy
RESA vs Siwelele
Randburg vs Tuks
Prestige vs Wits Junior
Panorama vs East Rand Athletic
Kathorus vs Joburg City
Kaizer Chiefs vs Jomo Cosmos
Sunday, 12 April
15:00
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Highlands Park
