Kaizer Chiefs vs Highlands Park highlights GDL weekend
Another weekend of fascinating Gauteng Development League (GDL) action is on the horizon, with teams in pursuit of valuable points to remain competitive in the title race, while for others, at the bottom of the table, they’re in a battle for survival.
On Sunday, September, Kaizer Chiefs faces a tough challenge when they host Highlands Park, at Kaizer Chiefs Village, in Naturena.
Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools
The match promises to be the highlight of the GDL weekend. Although it is a home game for the Phefeni Glamour Boys, they’re going to find it difficult to secure a victory against Sfiso Mnguni’s team.
After successive wins last weekend, including over the previously table-topping Mamelodi Sundowns, the Lions of the North have taken over at the top. They look hungry and determined to capture a third consecutive GDL title.
Kaizer Chiefs, unusually, are not fighting it out for first place. They’re striving to break into the top five of the standings.
While they went back-to-back in 2023 and 2024, the 2025 season has not been an easy one for Highlands Park. The fight for the title is far from over, with four other teams – Mamelodi Sundowns, Randburg AFC, SuperSport United, and Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) – also in the battle for league honours.
RESA’s Sporting Director and u19 coach, Sandile Mathumbo, described the race for the title as “a blockbuster”. With each passing week, the intrigue has increased and the pressure on the frontrunners has amped up. Although RESA has experienced wavering form in recent weeks, the race is far from run.
On Saturday, the Vereeniging-based club journeys to Pretoria to face the University of Pretoria (Tuks). They visited the South African capital last weekend, taking on Sundowns at Clapham High, where they suffered a 1-3 defeat to the Brazilians.
Adding to the size of the challenge that awaits, Tuks will be full of confidence after bagging six points last weekend following a 1-0 win over East Rand Athletic Club on Saturday and a 2-0 defeat of TS Galaxy on Sunday.
For RESA, it is a must-win match if they wish to maintain their title push. The game, though, is equally important for Tuks, who are 12th in the standings at present. They’ll be focused on moving up the table.
One of the most captivating matches of the weekend will feature Kathorus Hyper Academy, who have been on a hot streak.
They beat Rockefvs 2-0 last Saturday. This Saturday, they take on Joburg City at the Greek Sporting Club.
Earlier in the season, Joburg City was on a roll, but their recent form has been mixed, and they’ll be eager to bounce back from a 1-4 loss to Panorama FC last time out.
Randburg, another of the title contenders, will be hosted by Seven’s Academy at Woodlands International College, while SuperSport United tackles Panorama FC at Curro Sagewood.
GDL newcomers, Rockefvs, who have gradually improved throughout the season, remain in a precarious position within the relegation zone. They’ll be up against TS Galaxy. Meanwhile, Wits Junior travels to face struggling Elspark United Academy, who are currently at the bottom of the table, at the Elspark Sports Ground.
Concluding the weekend’s action, on Sunday, Mamelodi Sundowns takes on Jomo Cosmos. ‘Downs will be favoured ahead of the clash, but, as their coach, Krstopher Bergman mentioned in an interview with SuperSport Schools Plus, there are no certainties in the GDL, and wins are not simply handed over.
After going down to Highlands Park, Sundowns will be aiming to boost their points’ tally again to keep up the pressure on the Lions of the North. They’re six points adrift currently.
Also on Sunday, Wits duels with Joburg City, while Rockefvs faces Tuks at the ACCP Grounds. The School of Excellence welcomes the East Rand Athletic Club to Elandsfontein.
FIXTURES
Saturday, 13 September
14:00
ACCP Grounds
Rockevfs vs TS Galaxy
15:00
Tuks Sports Ground
Tuks vs RESA
Greek Sporting Club
Joburg City vs Kathorus Hyper Academy
Woodlands International College
Seven’s Academy vs Randburg AFC
Curro Sagewood
SuperSport United vs Panorama FC
Elspark Sports Ground
Elspark United vs Wits Junior
Sunday, 14 September
14:00
KC Village
Kaizer Chiefs vs Highlands Park
15:30
JC Training Ground
Jomo Cosmos vs Mamelodi Sundowns
Elandsfontein
School of Excellence vs East Rand Athletic Club
Marks Park
Wits Junior vs Joburg City
ACCP Ground
Rockefvs vs Tuks
