The stakes are huge in Tshwane derby, while Elspark United faces relegation
The pressure is on as the Gauteng Development League (GDL) barrels towards its conclusion. One hopes, only, that the weather doesn’t interfere as it did last weekend, when a couple of crucial top-of-the-table matches were forced to be postponed.
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This weekend, the spotlight shifts to Mamelodi Sundowns, who will play in a Tshwane derby on Saturday, tackling SuperSport United at Eskom Megawatt Park.
Sundowns, second in the standings, need to bag every point possible if they are to prevent Highlands Park from winning the GDL for a third season in succession. They’re currently three points behind the Lions of the North.
Highlands Park leads the way with 74 points, while Sundowns has 71, and they have both played 31 matches. The Brazilians need Highlands Park to drop points.
They do own a superior goal difference, which would be to their advantage should Highlands Park slip up. But SuperSport United presents a tough challenge for ‘Downs.
Highlands Park, who were unable to play in their previous match against the University of Pretoria (Tuks) due to the inclement weather, face a tester of their own, taking on the revitalised School of Excellence, who are coming off an outstanding weekend during which they scored two victories without conceding a goal.
On Saturday, they overran Elspark United 7-0 and followed that impressive result with a 3-0 win over East Rand Athletic on Sunday.
Will the School of Excellence sustain that level of performance on Saturday, or will the Lions of the North own the park at their home, Balfour Park?
While the competition at the top of the league is intense, the battle for survival at the opposite end of the standings is on. Elspark United, in their first season in the GDL, appears set for a return to the GDL Promotional League. In 30 matches, they have picked up only three wins, four draws, and been beaten 23 times.
With only 13 points to their names and four matches remaining, Elspark takes on 16th-placed Seven’s Academy on Saturday.
It has also been a difficult season for Seven’s Academy, who have just five wins, seven draws, and 19 losses from 31 matches, which leaves them with 22 points. It’s a battle at the bottom, but it could be a pivotal game in both clubs’ seasons. They’re split by East Rand Athletic Club, which is in 17th-place, with 21 points.
Kaizer Chiefs, who are on course for a sixth-place finish, haven’t performed to their usual standards this season, but they’ll have a chance to boost their points’ tally by three when they host Joburg City at home.
Panorama, who have been struggling for form, welcome the University of Pretoria (Tuks) to the Panorama Sports Ground in Roodepoort.
Randburg, who were in the thick of the title race at one point of the season, have fallen off the pace more recently, but they’re still fourth on the log. They go up against Jomo Cosmos at the Randburg Sports Complex.
In other matches, Wits Junior hosts Rockefvs at Marks Park, while Kathorus Hyper Academy will be visited by Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) at the Huntersfield Stadium.
On Sunday, TS Galaxy is scheduled to play against Joburg City, and Panorama takes on East Rand Athletic.
FIXTURES
Saturday, 25 October
14:00
Kaizer Chiefs vs Joburg City, Kaizer Chiefs Village
15:00
SuperSport United vs Mamelodi Sundowns, Eskom Megwatt Park
Elspark United vs Seven’s Academy, Elspark Sports Ground
Highlands Park vs School of Excellence, Balfour Park
Wits Junior vs Rockefvs, Marks Park
Panorama vs Tuks, Panorama Sports Ground
Randburg vs Jomo Cosmos, Randburg Sports Complex
Kathorus vs RESA, Huntersfield Stadium
Sunday, 26 October
16:00
TS Galax vs Joburg City, George Lea Park
16:30
Panorama vs East Rand Athletic, Panorama Sports Ground
u19 GDL Table
| Club | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| Highlands Park | 31 | 23 | 5 | 3 | 64 | 24 | 40 | 74 |
| Mamelodi Sundowns | 31 | 22 | 5 | 4 | 90 | 23 | 67 | 71 |
| RESA | 32 | 21 | 5 | 6 | 75 | 40 | 35 | 68 |
| Randburg | 32 | 21 | 5 | 6 | 68 | 31 | 37 | 62 |
| SuperSport United | 32 | 17 | 9 | 6 | 51 | 28 | 23 | 60 |
| Kaizer Chiefs | 30 | 16 | 3 | 11 | 66 | 47 | 19 | 51 |
| Jomo Cosmos | 31 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 35 | 39 | -4 | 42 |
| Wits Junior | 31 | 11 | 7 | 13 | 52 | 56 | -4 | 40 |
| Panorama | 29 | 12 | 4 | 13 | 40 | 51 | -11 | 40 |
| Kathorus Hyper Academy | 31 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 30 | 32 | -2 | 39 |
| Joburg City | 29 | 11 | 4 | 14 | 34 | 44 | -10 | 37 |
| Tuks | 28 | 10 | 4 | 14 | 32 | 47 | -15 | 34 |
| Rockefvs | 30 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 35 | 51 | -16 | 33 |
| School of Excellence | 30 | 9 | 5 | 16 | 47 | 61 | -14 | 32 |
| TS Galaxy | 30 | 7 | 6 | 17 | 28 | 51 | -23 | 27 |
| Seven’s Academy | 31 | 5 | 7 | 19 | 47 | 71 | -24 | 22 |
| East Rand Athletic | 30 | 5 | 6 | 19 | 20 | 50 | -30 | 21 |
| Elspark United | 30 | 3 | 4 | 23 | 23 | 91 | -68 | 13 |
