Highlands Park, Kaizer Chiefs in huge face-off at Naturena Village
A golden opportunity to push for higher honours in the u19 division of the Gauteng Development League awaits the “Lions of the North”, Highlands Park, who visit Kaizer Chiefs at Naturena Village this week.
It’s been quite the turnaround from Highlands Park, whose title defence began woefully with postponed games due to a waterlogged pitch and a few losses, but now they’re on the charge.
They’re in third place on the log, six points behind the table-topping Chiefs, and with two games in hand. It is safe to say that the defending champions have turned the tide.
It is important to note that their success hasn’t been without a helping hand from the football Gods, though.
Mamelodi Sundowns, the log leaders for the majority of the campaign before they slipped to second place a few weeks ago, have had to stomach several postponed fixtures and that has led to them losing momentum after making an impressive start to the competition.
Lacking rhythm due to the postponements, ‘Downs slipped to second place and then copped their first defeat of the season last week as they were humbled 4-1 by Sevens Academy in their own backyard.
That loss has not only allowed Highlands Park to catch up with the Brazilians, but they now have a chance to overtake them, and with their game this Saturday being against Chiefs, a win would also cut the gap to the Amakhosi to only three points.
The Lions of the North will travel to Soweto to take on coach David Mathebula‘s Kaizer Chiefs side fully aware that the game will hold big implications for the defence of the title they won so impressively in 2023.
Sundowns, meanwhile, will welcome Tuks to Clapham High for a mouthwatering Tshwane derby.
In other fixtures, Sevens Academy travels to the Randburg Sports Complex to take on the 11th-placed Randburg AFC, while Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School hosts East Rand Athletic Club in Tshwane on Saturday.
Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) tackles School of Excellence at President Park, NWU Vaal welcomes TS Galaxy at the NWU Sports Fields, while Wits Junior is on the road at Huntersfield Stadium to take on Kathorus Hyper Academy.
Panorama goes up against SuperSport United at home, while Jomo Cosmos faces Joburg City at the 1st Training Ground.
FIXTURES
Saturday, 17 August
Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School vs East Rand Athletic Club (RSMSS)
Remember Elite Sports Academy vs School of Excellence (President Park)
Kaizer Chiefs vs Highlands Park (KC Village)
Randburg AFC vs Sevens Academy (Randburg Sports Complex)
NWU Vaal vs TS Galaxy (NWU Sports Field)
Mamelodi Sundowns vs TUKS (Clapham High)
Kathorus Hyper Academy vs Wits Junior (Huntersfield Stadium)
Panorama vs SuperSport United (Panorama Sports Ground)
Jomo Cosmos vs Joburg City (1st Training Ground – Jomo Cosmos)
