NWU Vaal bags maximum points, champs win again

NWU Vaal FC’s u19s beat the School of Excellence 1-0 at Elandsfontein on Saturday to walk away with maximum points, which lifted them to 14th place on the Gauteng Development League (GDL) log.

The win by NWU Vaal over one of South Africa’s most highly regarded academies showed that the GDL newcomers have assimilated to meet the demands of the league. More than that, their victory showed they belonged.

It took coach Tebello Kheswa‘s NWU Vaal side a little longer than expected to acclimatise to the high-intensity football that is on display in the GDL week in and out.

Last season, they dominated the promotional league and competed fiercely in cup competitions, which included ousting Mamelodi Sundowns from the GDL Youth Cup before finally being stopped by Kaizer Chiefs in the final.

Based on those excellent performances, many expected Kheswa and his young troops to quickly find their feet in the GDL after their promotion was announced.

However, a late start to their season, caused by an attempted change of name, of all things, led to NWU Vaal playing catch-up from the start. They were also behind in terms of match fitness. That cost them and they’ve had to stomach 17 losses while winning only nine times, including Saturday’s impressive victory over School of Excellence.

However, their performance away from home, in Elandsfontein, proved that they have what it takes to become contenders.

At the University of Pretoria Sports Campus, Tuks hosted the defending champions and current log leaders, Highlands Park, on Saturday.

The Lions of the North demonstrated their hunger for a successful defence of their title with a confident 4-0 away victory. With three more points to bolster their points’ total, they further strengthened their case as champions-elect as the GDL races towards its conclusion.

On Sunday, Tuks were in action once more. Despite again playing at home, Jomo Cosmos heaped more misery on Tuks, netting three times without reply to hand their opponents a second big loss in succession.

After 34 matches, Cosmos have completed their schedule. They occupy seventh place in the standings, with 14 wins and 12 losses.

Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School picked up three points with a closely contested 1-0 home win over Kathorus Hyper Academy.

At Naturena Village, the highly anticipated fixture between two title-chasing teams – third-placed Kaizer Chiefs and second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns – was called off because of lightning.

RESULTS

Saturday, 26 October

School of Excellence 0-1 NWU-Vaal
Tuks 0-4 Highlands Park

Sunday, 27 October

Tuks 0-3 Jomo Cosmos
Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School 1-0 Kathorus Hyper Academy
Kaizer Chiefs vs Mamelodi Sundowns (called off, lightning)