Highlands Park wins twice against Pretoria clubs, tops table
The race for the u19 Gauteng Development League (GDL) title continues to heat up and now Highlands Park, the two-time defending champions, are back at the summit of the table after claiming successive wins on Saturday and Sunday.
The Lions of the North have been remarkably tough and consistent over the past couple of seasons, and their 2025 lineup has demonstrated more of that same steel that has taken them to consecutive GDL titles.
On Saturday, up against another team with title aspirations, SuperSport United, Highlands Park, coached by Sifiso Mnguni, cantered to a 4-1 win. Then, on Sunday, against the table-topping Mamelodi Sundowns, they grabbed an invaluable 1-0 win to overhaul their rivals.
With the win over SuperSport United at Balfour Park, the Lions of the North increased their season’s tally by three to 58. Then, with their win over Sundowns, they improved it to 61 while, crucially, preventing ‘Downs from adding to their total. Tsheole Kgopotso netted the game winner.
Sundowns did, however, pick up three points at Clapham High School on Saturday, with a 3-1 defeat of Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA).
Ahead of the game, on Thursday, RESA coach Sandile Mathumbo told SuperSport Schools Plus it was going to be a challenging match for both teams.
Another team in the thick of the title race, Randburg AFC, secured a 2-0 victory over the struggling School of Excellence, who lie 14th in the standings, way below their usual position towards the upper end of the table.
Kathorus Hyper Academy, who have made a huge impact this season, particularly during the second round of league fixtures, returned to winning form on Saturday after an entertaining 3-3 draw against Panorama FC last week. Up against Rockefvs, they won 2-0.
Panorama FC, after sharing the spoils with Kathorus, rebounded with a 4-1 win over Joburg City, while Wits Junior claimed a closely contested 3-2 win over Seven’s Academy.
Also on Saturday, TS Galaxy and Jomo Cosmos picked up a point each after a 1-1 draw.
The University of Pretoria (Tuks) did double duty and performed admirably to bolster their points’ total by six after a narrow 1-0 win over the East Rand Athletic Club, which they followed with a 2-0 success against TS Galaxy.
RESULTS
Saturday, 6 September
Randburg AFC 2-0 School of Excellence
Kathorus 2-0 Rockefvs
Panorama 4-1 Joburg City
Highlands Park 4-1 SuperSport United
Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 RESA
Wits 3-2 Sevens Academy
TS Galaxy 1-1 Jomo Cosmos
Tuks 1-0 East Rand Athletic Club
Kaizer Chiefs vs Elspark (Game cancelled due to bad weather)
Sunday, 7 September
Tuks 2-0 TS Galaxy
Highlands Park 1-0 Mamelodi Sundowns
