“The GDL is a different ball game,” says Rockefvs coach Thokozani Mnguni
The Gauteng Development League is regarded as one of the best academy leagues on the African continent. The standard of football and the quality of the players and the coaches is high.
This makes it difficult for teams moving up from the Gauteng Development Promotional League (GDPL) to adapt to the pace, tactics, and technical prowess of the teams that have been playing in the GDL for many years.
As a result, we have seen teams get promoted and last only one season in the GDL. Coach Tebello Kheswa‘s NWU Vaal u19 team is a prime example of a team that struggled to keep up with the experienced GDL teams after making the jump in 2024.
This season, the new kids on the block are coach Thokozani Mnguni‘s Rockefvs team, from Pretoria.
Mnguni, a former Mamelodi Sundowns and Black Leopards defender, has also been welcomed with a baptism of fire in the first few rounds of GDL fixtures this season.
Rockefvs is yet to win a game, and Mnguni puts it down to psychological challenges. “The mental strength of our players is a problem,” Mnguni told SuperSport Schools Plus in an exclusive interview.
“Look, we can dominate. We can move the ball around. That’s how we play. We can dominate, but towards the end of the match, we lack concentration,” he said.
Mnguni added that his players are still coming to terms with playing against big-name clubs, such as Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns.
The 46-year-old emphasised that, thus far, his players have displayed a little too much respect for their opposition. “With my boys, from where they come from, for them, they still, when you talk about Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, you can see the fear is there,” he explained.
“I want them to take them as normal opposition. I tell them, “Get into the tunnel when you’re about to reach the field, tell them today it’s me against you, not you against me’.”
Mnguni has taken his young troops from humble beginnings in Pretoria and achieved a rare feat by earning a promotion from the GDPL to the GDL in their first season competing in the league.
Despite facing serious challenges, they dominated the GDPL and forced their way into the GDL this season.
“We started last season in the GDPL. So it was our first season there. We are from the Football Association of Pretoria,” Mnguni said.
“We were conquering season in and season out. We were winning trophies, cup games, and league games. We needed to step up and get ourselves playing against some of the best teams in Gauteng.
“Coming from the local football association, going to the GDPL, was not easy, even last year. Remember, it was our first season there, and we experienced so many things, so many challenges – things like refereeing, and, financially, it was tough. But we managed to succeed.
“This year, going to the mainstream, the GDL, it’s a different ball game again. It’s not like the GDPL, whereby you can plan things. Victories can come easier.
“This year, it’s more of a tactical and technical challenge. Technically and tactically, you have to be sharp.”
This week, Mnguni will lead his charges against Seven’s Academy and will be hoping that the home advantage they will have at the ACCP Sports Ground will help them to a first victory in the GDL.
In other fixtures, Tuks will host SuperSport United at the Groenkloof Campus in a mouth-watering Tshwane derby.
Randburg AFC, after knocking off Kaizer Chiefs last weekend, welcomes Mamelodi Sundowns to the Randburg Sports Complex, Kathorus Hyper Academy takes on Panorama FC at Huntersfield Stadium, and the East Rand Athletic Club meets Wits Junior at Tsakane Stadium.
TS Galaxy faces the defending champions, Highlands Park, Jomo Cosmos is home to Elspark United Academy, and Remember Elite Sport Academy meets Kaizer Chiefs at Tuks Sports Ground.
FIXTURES
Saturday, 29 March
Rockefvs vs Seven’s Academy
Randburg AFC vs Mamelodi Sundowns
Kathorus Hyper Academy vs Panorama
East Rand Athletic Club vs Wits Junior
TS Galaxy vs Highlands Park
Jomo Cosmos vs Elspark United Academy
Remember Elite Sport Academy vs Kaizer Chiefs
