Highlands Park keeps GDL lead after four-point weekend
After another solid weekend on the pitch, the defending champion, Highlands Park, remains at the top of the Gauteng Development League (GDL) u19 standings.
Heading into their weekend’s assignment, Highlands Park coach Sifiso Mnguni said there was heavy pressure on the Lions of the North, not only as the defending champions but also as the log leaders, with only four fixtures remaining in the season.
While they didn’t win on Saturday, they didn’t lose either, settling for an intense goalless draw with Jomo Cosmos after a back-and-forth contest.
Cosmos, playing for a spot in the top five, was unrelenting in attack, but they were met by the same intensity from Highlands Park, who are determined to go back-to-back as GDL champions.
Goalless on Saturday, the Lions of the North found their goal-scoring form on Sunday, thrashing Kathorus Hyper Academy 5-1 at home, a result which, almost certainly, confirmed their opponent’s relegation.
Just behind Highlands Park on the log, coach Surprise Moriri‘s Mamelodi Sundowns closed the gap after an entertaining 3-2 victory over fifth-placed TS Galaxy at Clapham High on Saturday.
Goals from Mathlogonolo Kotsokoane, Chuene Noabelo, and one from the division’s most decorated goal scorer, Kamva Moni, sealed the deal for the Pretoria-based team. While they are second in the standings, they have two games in hand.
Should Highlands Park fail to get maximum points in their last two fixtures of the season, the league title could go Sundowns’ way.
However, there is another contender. Kaizer Chiefs is still in the running for glory. They’re third on the log, level on points with ‘Downs, but having played a game more. They scored a narrow 1-0 win over Wits Junior at Naturena on Saturday.
RESULTS
Saturday
Remember Elite Sport Academy 1-3 Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School
Randburg AFC 2-1 School of Excellence
Panorama 4-3 Sevens Academy
NWU Vaal 0-0 SuperSport United
Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 TS Galaxy
Kathorus Hyper Academy 2-5 Tuks
Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 Wits Junior
Jomo Cosmos 0-0 Highlands Park
East Rand Athletic Club 2-1 Joburg City
Sunday
Highlands Park 5-1 Kathorus Hyper Academy
Remember Elite Sport Academy 1-0 School of Excellence
