Kamva Moni’s hattrick sets Mamelodi Sundowns back on track
If there was any team that needed a boost in the Gauteng Development League (GDL) heading into the weekend, it was coach Surprise Moriri‘s Mamelodi Sundowns u19 side.
SuperSport Schools Plus has documented the story of their fall from the top of the log. After a dominant start to the season, they were leapfrogged by Kaizer Chiefs, who were subsequently passed by the defending champions, Highlands Park, who rose to summit, after a magnificent run of results.
Rained-out games have cost the Brazilians, but, most of all, their success has undermined their campaign as many of their players have graduated into the professional ranks, turning out for Sundowns’ in the DStv Diski Challenge and the top-flight Premier Soccer League.
With a smile on his face, Moriri took the setbacks on the chin, celebrating his players’ progress from the development ranks while working with a new set of youngsters in an attempt to steady the club’s GDL challenge.
On the weekend, the coach received a major boost as the prolific striker Kamva Moni netted a hattrick against Panorama FC at Clapham High. That excellent return ensured that ‘Downs came away with a 3-2 victory despite strong resistance from Panorama.
In their previous outing, Moni netted the only goal of the contest as the Pretoria club claimed maximum points from Remember Elite Sport Academy at President Park.
Those two victories have lifted Sundowns to within seven points of the ‘The Lions of the North” at the top of the standings, and they have two games in hand.
Highlands Park, meanwhile, hammered Sevens Academy 5-2, while Kaizer Chiefs outlasted a stubborn Remember Elite Sport Academy, recording a 3-2 win.
Jomo Cosmos beat Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School 2-1, SuperSport United thrashed Wits Junior 7-1, and the School of Excellence handed Joburg City a 4-2 defeat.
Kathorus Hyper Academy and Randburg AFC shared a 1-1 draw, while NWU Vaal and the East Rand Athletic Club also had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
RESULTS
Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 Panorama FC
Kaizer Chiefs 3-2 Remember Elite Sport Academy
Jomo Cosmos 2-1 Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School
Kathorus Hyper Academy 1-1 Randburg AFC
North-West University Vaal 1-1 East Rand Athletic Club
TS Galaxy 2-0 Tuks
Highlands Park 5-2 Sevens Academy
Wits Junior 1-7 SuperSport United
Joburg City FC 2-4 School of Excellence
