Three Performances of The Week | Gauteng Development League

The past weekend presented teams competing in the Gauteng Development League with a demanding challenge as most of them faced back-to-back fixtures on Saturday and Sunday.

However, in the face of the steepest tests, the top contenders put their hands up and made themselves known through their teamwork and a never-say-die spirit.

Ongama Gcwabe and SuperSport Schools Plus picked Three Top Performances from the back-to-back matchdays six and seven.

Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs faced one of the tougher schedules, which included the “The Lions of the North“, Highlands Park, who were ready to pounce in their first fixture of the weekend.

In a hard-fought contest, the Soweto giants and Highlands Park drew 1-1, meaning the Amakhosi did not win both of their weekend fixtures, unlike the other teams on this list.

Therefore, more context is needed to explain why Chiefs find themselves selected as one of the top three performers.

They did not face any old Highlands Park side. They faced one that was severely wounded, having been humbled 0-2 by Mamelodi Sundowns a week earlier, a side which had managed only one league victory thus far this season.

Stung, the Balfour Park-based unit went into the Chiefs game itching to make a statement and desperate to display form worthy of the defending champions.

They took the fight to Chiefs, giving it their all, but it wasn’t enough as the sides shared the spoils.

The Soweto giants followed up their draw with a 4-1 win over Kathorus Hyper Academy at Naturena on Sunday, to complete a successful weekend on a winning note.

Mamelodi Sundowns

When the bar has been set high, it can sometimes be difficult to maintain that standard, and the standard setters from the start of the 2024 Gauteng Development League have been Mamelodi Sundowns. They entered the weekend’s fixtures with an unbeaten record, intent on preserving it.

Coach Surprise Moriri‘s charges faced Tuks on Saturday and Jomo Cosmos on Sunday.

First up, they won 3-1 at Tuks, ostensibly in the tougher of their two games. However, Cosmos put up a tremendous fight on Sunday against a Sundowns’ side that appeared tired.

‘Downs dug deep, however, and eventually found a goal to secure maximum points with a 1-0 victory, which gave them back-to-back wins.

SuperSport United

SuperSport United faced serious challenges from the in-form Panorama FC and the School of Excellence on Saturday and Sunday respectively. One thing in their favour, however, was that both matches were played in their own backyard, at Eskom Megawatt Park, in Pretoria.

Not many teams enjoyed home ground advantage in both of their weekend’s games, but SuperSport United did and they made that advantage count.

On Saturday, they put six goals past Panorama, while the visitors scored twice, with Nkosinathi Mbuyane, Samuel Ndongeni, Tyrese Davids, Michael Alagiozolou, Tshiamo Selemela, and Bohlale Ngwato netting for the winners.

On Sunday, a solitary goal from Tlotliso Makgai saw SuperSport United to a 1-0 victory over the School of Excellence, thus boosting the home team’s tally by six points from the two games.

Other under-19 results

Saturday

School of Excellence 2-1 Remember Elite Sports Academy
East Rand Athletic Club 1-1 Rosina Sedibane
Randburg AFC 3-1 Sevens Academy
Joburg City 1-2 Jomo Cosmos

Sunday
Tuks 1-2 Remember Elite Sports Academy
TS Galaxy 2-1 NWU Vaal FC
Wits Junior 1-2 Randburg AFC
East Rand Athletic Club 2-1 Sevens Academy