Author: ongcwabe

Only two teams remain unbeaten in the Gauteng Development League (GDL). They are the defending champions, Highlands Park, under coach Sifiso Mnguni, and SuperSport United, under coach Tumelo Ndaba.

At the summit of the standings sits Supersport United, who have made an impressive start to the season.

They drew against Kaizer Chiefs in their season-opening fixture, overcoming a 0-2 deficit, before going on to register four consecutive victories.

Highlands Park has continued to rack up wins and stack points. They’ve also won four and drawn one, and they’re in second place on the log.

This week, the Pretoria-based Supersport United team takes on the fourth-placed School of Excellence at Sagewood Curro, while Highlands Park will welcome Jomo Cosmos to Balfour Park, on Saturday.

While United and Highlands Park have dominated the early weeks of the season, Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) has been the dark horse of the league.

The Vereeniging-based side currently occupies third place in the standings, having won four and lost one match. This week, RESA travels to Marks Park to take on the 16th-placed Wits Junior in their backyard.

In other fixtures, Mamelodi Sundowns hosts Kathorus Hyper Academy at Clapham, Randburg AFC takes on East Rand Athletic Club, and Kaizer Chiefs tackle Tuks at the Kaizer Chiefs village.

Newcomers, Elspark United and Rockefvs, will go head-to-head at the Elspark Sports Ground, Sevens Academy faces Joburg City, and Panorama plays TS Galaxy.

FIXTURES

Saturday, 12 April

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Kathorus Hyper Academy
Randburg AFC vs East Rand Athletic Club
Kaizer Chiefs vs Tuks
Wits Junior vs Remember Elite Sport Academy
Elspark United vs Rockefvs
Supersport United vs School of Excellence
Sevens Academy vs Joburg City
Highlands Park vs Jomo Cosmos

Sunday, 13 April

Panorama vs TS Galaxy

The mighty Soweto giants, Kaizer Chiefs, went down 1-2 to Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) in a shock result in the Gauteng Development League (GDL) on the weekend.

Playing away from home, coach David Mathebula‘s side was under the pump from the first whistle, with RESA making full use of their home-ground advantage.

Despite yellow cards to Kabelo Mofokeng, Samukelo Mthombeni, and Mandla Vilakati in the opening half, the hosts also found a way through the Amakhosi’s defence, striking twice before the break.

Onthatile Lemao netted in the second minute to set the visitors on the back foot before Banele Radebe knocked in a stunner in the 36th minute to give the hosts a two-goal cushion at halftime.

Chiefs fought until the end and were able to pull a goal back, but RESA came away with the win and the points after a committed performance.

In another big upset, the highly respected School of Excellence fell 0-3 to Joburg City. Last season was not one to remember for Joburg City, but it appears that they might have found their groove in 2025.

The Gauteng Development League rookies, Rockefvs, coached by Thokozani Mnguni, opened their GDL account with a 2-1 win over Seven’s Academy 2-1.

TS Galaxy put up a good fight but lost 0-1 to the defending champions, Highlands Park. Randburg AFC, after a win over Kaizer Chiefs last weekend, couldn’t pull off another upset and went down 1-2 to Mamelodi Sundowns.

In the big Pretoria derby, SuperSport United scored a resounding 3-0 win over Tuks, and Kathorus Hyper Academy lost 0-3 to Panorama.

RESULTS

RESA 2-1 Kaizer Chiefs
TS Galaxy 0-1 Highlands Park
Randburg AFC 1-2 Mamelodi Sundowns
Rockefvs 2-1 Seven’s Academy
Tuks 0-3 SuperSport United
Jomo Cosmos 1-0 Elspark United
East Rand Athletic Club 1-0 Wits Junior
Kathorus Hyper Academy 0-3 Panorama FC
School of Excellence 0-3 Joburg City

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

At the start of the 2025 Gauteng Development League season, Kaizer Chiefs experienced a few bumps in the road, beginning with a 2-2 draw against Supersport United in the season opener.

Coach David Mathebula‘s side, then, crashed out of the Top Eight competition, losing in the semi-finals, before hitting yet another brick wall at Randburg AFC, on Friday.

They were handed a humbling 1-2 defeat, a loss that suggested they’re perhaps not as powerful a unit as they appeared to be last season.

However, teams tend to reveal their true character in periods of struggle and Mathebula’s team did just that when they hosted East Rand Athletic Club at Naturena, on Sunday, following their loss to Randburg.

In a morale-boosting performance, Chiefs registered a convincing 5-1 victory.

While Chiefs have had their struggles, coach Sifiso Mnguni‘s Highlands Park, the defending two-time league champions, continue to quietly chip away in defence of their crown.

They completed a clean sweep on the weekend, beating Panorama FC 4-1 away from home before going on to outlast a stubborn Kathorus Hyper Academy outfit 2-1 at Balfour Park on Sunday.

After beating Chiefs on Friday, Randburg AFC wrapped up a good weekend for the club with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Wits Junior at Marks Park, which meant Wits exited the long weekend without a point after their fixture against Mamelodi Sundowns was postponed.

Sundowns ran rampant against Panorama FC on Sunday, handing out a 9-0 thrashing, while Tuks, TS Galaxy, and Supersport United ran over their opponents, winning all their fixtures over the long weekend.

RESULTS

Friday, 21 March

Panorama 1-4 Highlands Park
Randburg AFC 2-1 Kaizer Chiefs
Wits Junior vs Mamelodi Sundowns (Postponed)
Kathorus Hyper Academy 1-0 Elspark United Academy
East Rand Athletic Club 0-4 SuperSport United
TS Galaxy 3-2 Seven’s Academy
Remember Elite Sport Academy 4-2 Joburg City
Jomo Cosmos 1-4 School of Excellence
Tuks 3-0 Rockefvs

Sunday, 23 March

Wits Junior 0-3 Randburg AFC
Mamelodi Sundowns 9-0 Panorama
Highlands Park 2-1 Kathorus Hyper Academy
SuperSport United 3-2 Remember Elite Sport Academy
Kaizer Chiefs 5-1 East Rand Athletic Club
Seven’s Academy 1-1 Jomo Cosmos
Elspark United Academy 0-1 TS Galaxy
Joburg City 0-1 Tuks
School of Excellence 2-0 Rockefvs

SuperSport United and trophies go hand-in-hand.

Who can ever forget the magical seasons, from 2007/08 to 2009/10, where the Tshwane-based club asserted its dominance in South African football, winning three Premier Soccer League (PSL) titles in a row while producing some of the country’s best-ever talents, including the Gqeberha-born Daine Klate and Teko Modise?

They have also enjoyed plenty of success at amateur and academy level, with coach Tumelo Ndaba‘s SuperSport United u19s leading from the front by capturing back-to-back Gauteng Development League (GDL) Top Eight trophies.

When SuperSport United ruled the PSL under Gavin Hunt, he had his close friend Thomas Madigage as his assistant coach and trusted right-hand man.

There are similarities in the current u19 set-up, with Ndaba and his assistant Jabu Maluleka, who enjoy a similarly cohesive relationship. They speak the same language and it shows in how synchronised their team is on the field.

Heading into the semi-finals and of the Top Eight competition, Maluleka was left to hold down the fort while Ndaba attended a coaching course. He put his trust in Maluleka to oversee the defence of the title that SuperSport United’s u19s won last season.

With Maluleka in charge, Supersport United beat School of Excellence 2-1 in the final to once again lift the trophy, courtesy of goals from Tshiamo Selemela and Tshegofato Modise.

“Firstly, I want to thank coach Jabu,” Ndaba told SuperSport Schools Plus. “This week I was not around. I was busy with my coaching course. He’s the one that was coaching this week.” 

Ndaba said he was particularly impressed with how his team has been able to win games by coming from behind, which they had to do in the final after conceding the first goal of the game to School of Excellence.

Earlier in the season, in their first league outing of the year, Ndaba’s team showed character to fight back from 0-2 down against Kaizer Chiefs to pull off a 2-2 draw.

Ndaba said the character of his side has impressed him despite the players not having had much pre-season game time to help them build the character of the team.

“We did have a pre-season but we did not have enough match fitness or friendly games that we played during our pre-season,” said Ndaba.

“In three or four games now, from the start of the league to this Top Eight final, we have come from behind. Credit must go to the conditioning coach. I think he did a good job with the boys.

“You can see the character and the resilience, coming back from 0-1 and 1-2 down against good teams.

“I think he played a big role during the pre-season by building that character. That’s what we’re lacking most of the time. With the other teams, you go down 0-1 and they give up. But this year it’s a different ball game.”

The Gauteng Development League Top Eight competition returns this weekend after a postponement that was brought on by inclement weather in the province last month.

The quarterfinals were played, with Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, Highlands Park, and School of Excellence progressing through to the semi-finals.

On Saturday, GDL champions, Highlands Park, take on Mamelodi Sundowns at Tsakane Stadium, in Brakpan, while Chiefs tackle School of Excellence at Marks Park, in Randburg.

Heading into the clash against School of Excellence, Chiefs have been rocked by the news of the unavailability of head coach David Mathebula. 

“I won’t be available. I have to travel home,” Mathebula revealed to SuperSport Schools Plus in an exclusive interview.

Mathebula believes that his close relationship with his support staff and the professionalism of his players should carry them through the semi-finals and into the final of the competition.

“I think the advantage with us is we work very, very closely with the other coaches. The players, we teach them how to respect coaches because, in the future, I won’t be the one who is coaching them,” Mathebula explained.  

“They must be able to work with different coaches. I just hope they will be able to handle themselves as professionals, but I believe they will do that because we’ve got good boys in our team. So I don’t think there will be any challenges.”

Chiefs are fresh off a 5-0 thrashing of Sundowns last weekend, an eye-opening result from which Mathebula believes his team will take confidence.

The 41-year-old reflected on that fixture: “I think, firstly, it was a very complicated game. It was a difficult game. Sundowns, first half, they played well, created a couple of opportunities, and I think, in the first half, the difference was we managed to take the opportunities that we created. 

“We defended the box well because they didn’t get a lot of opportunities, not opportunities inside the box, but outside the box, where they had to take shots from long range.

“And then, second half, we came back stronger because we didn’t give them those opportunities. When we were defending, we stayed stronger, we stayed compact, and when we were in possession of the ball, I think our confidence grew.

“Thus, we were able to impose how we wanted to play. I think we dominated the game in the second half and, also, our pressing was good because we knew they’re a team that wants to dominate possession, and we knew that they build up from the back.

“So, the boys did well in pressing, and then we got opportunities and we managed to take them. The confidence grows when you win matches.” 

Ahead of the clash with School of Excellence, Mathebula had good things to say about Chiefs’ opponents.

“We managed to watch School of Excellence. They won their previous match, so they’ve got a really good side. Some of their boys, who have been playing in the u19 division since last season, are still there. 

“But I believe we’ll definitely improve in the next game against School of Excellence because that’s the most important thing for us, being able to play the way we want to play.”

FIXTURES

Kaizer Chiefs vs School of Excellence
Highlands Park vs Mamelodi Sundowns

Ahead of the second week of the Gauteng Development League season, Supersport United coach Tumelo Ndaba made clear his team’s ambitions of winning the u19 division this year, which would require them dethroning coach Sifiso Mnguni‘s Highlands Park, the back-to-back champions.

Read: Exclusive: “We want to win the league,” says United coach Tumelo Ndaba

Two days after speaking to SuperSport Schools Plus in an exclusive interview, Ndaba led his troops from Pretoria to Johannesburg to face off against Wits Junior at Marks Park. Boy, did Ndaba’s team make a statement away from home!

United slotted five goals while conceding one to show they intend to live up to their coach’s lofty goal. While some might have viewed Ndaba’s comments with amusement last week, they’ve surely sat up and taken notice since then.

Star player Orifha Maubelo scored a stunning four goals for SuperSport United, while Tshegofatso Modise netted the other. Keitumetse Lesia provided two assists and there was one each from Lesego Mokae and Tshiamo Selemela.

SuperSport United’s 5-1 victory at Marks Park saw them remain unbeaten after they fought back from two goals down in their opening game to secure a 2-2 draw against coach David Mathebula‘s Kaizer Chiefs.

After struggling in the second half of their clash with SuperSport United a week ago, Chiefs hosted Mamelodi Sundowns in Johannesburg this weekend.

With a point to prove, Mathebula’s unit sent shockwaves through the league by handing the mighty Sundowns a 5-0 thrashing. It was a statement victory, the kind that seldom happens when the big-name clubs do battle.

In other results, Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) beat Jomo Cosmos 1-0 at home, courtesy of Banele Radebe’s goal, while Randburg AFC beat Joburg City 2-1.

East Rand Athletic beat league newbies Rockefvs 2-0, while goals from Zolani Lekane and Karabo Makhudu saw Kathorus Hyper Academy scrambling to avoid a home loss to School of Excellence, and eventually earning a 2-2 draw.

Panorama FC lost 0-2 to Seven’s Academy, Tuks were 2-0 winners over TS Galaxy, and the defending champions, Highlands Park, gave Elspark United a not-so-warm welcome to the GDL, romping to a 6-1 win. 

RESULTS

RESA 1-0 Jomo Cosmos
Randburg AFC 2-1 Joburg City
Kathorus Hyper Academy 2-2 School of Excellence
Panorama FC 0-2 Seven’s Academy
East Rand Athletic 2-0 Rockefvs
Kaizer Chiefs 5-0 Mamelodi Sundowns
Wits Junior 1-5 Supersport United
TS Galaxy 0-2 Tuks
Highlands Park 6-1 Elspark United

Week two of the Gauteng Development League lies ahead with football fans who can’t make it to the games set to tune into the SuperSport Schools App, DStv Channel 216, and SABC Sport Plus to follow the action live.

Catch the action on SuperSport Schools

To get the weekend’s action started, Wits Junior will host Supersport United at Marks Park, on Saturday.

United, fresh off a 2-2 draw against Kaizer Chiefs, heads into the game with good momentum and having taken lessons from their first outing.

In a huge boost for their morale, United, after trailing 0-2 at home in the first half, fought their way back into the contest and turned it around in the second stanza, netting twice, to claim a share of the spoils.

Tumelo Ndaba, Supersport United’s u19 coach, reflected on the Chiefs encounter in an exclusive interview with SuperSport Schools Plus.

Ndaba said that his team went into the match undercooked. He explained: “We had a challenge during our pre-season. We didn’t play friendlies.

“So, the Chiefs game was our first match because of our schedule with the academy, and we had to do other things.

“It was a little bit difficult for the boys. There was no cohesion, especially in the first half. You saw the goals that we conceded. Defensively, we struggled in terms of defending the overloads of Chiefs because they play differently.

“It was difficult for the boys to adjust in terms of how to defend those overloads. But, in the second half, I think we managed to advise them [how to deal with it].

“We were strong. I think the boys showed character. With time, I think everything is going up.”

Ndaba and his team travel to Johannesburg to tackle Wits Junior, knowing they’re taking on a team that tends to lift its game when facing United. Nonetheless, Ndaba is backing his team to get the job done.

“It will be our second game. So, we’ll try to give different players a look and find a better lineup,” he said.

“I think with Wits, especially when they play against us, their boys become motivated. It’s a plus for them when they play against PSL teams. They give their all, so it’s going to be a very difficult fixture for us.”

SuperSport United finished outside the top five last season, but Ndaba said his team has high ambitions.

“Our aim this year is to win the league. You play to win. Anything that you do, you have to win,” he said.

FIXTURES

Saturday, 8 March

Wits Junior vs Supersport United
Highlands Park vs Elspark United
Panorama FC vs Seven’s Academy
Randburg AFC vs Joburg City
Kathorus Hyper Academy vs School of Excellence
East Rand Athletic Club vs Rockefvs
RESA vs Jomo Cosmos
TS Galaxy vs Mamelodi Sundowns

Sunday, 9 March

Kaizer Chiefs vs Mamelodi Sundowns

The first round of the highly anticipated 2025 Gauteng Development League (GDL) got underway on the weekend with Highlands Park vying for a third straight title.

With Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, and School of Excellence, among others, eager to put a stop to the dominance of the “Lions of the North“, coach Sifiso Mnguni’s Highlands Park had their work cut out for them. Their success means they have a target on their backs this season.

They travelled to Woodlands on Saturday, for an opener against Seven’s Academy where the hosts made their home-ground advantage count by holding the defending champions to a 2-2 draw.

Chiefs also faced a tough opener away from home. They visited Tshwane for a showdown with SuperSport United.

The Amakhosi started the contest well and went into a 2-0 lead, but SuperSport United kept fighting and a late penalty earned the Pretoria club a 2-2 draw with coach David Mathebula’s highly rated Chiefs’ team.

Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) and TS Galaxy delivered an entertaining encounter. It was highlighted by Tshepang Mologetso‘s brace and Buchule Mbana‘s solitary goal, which helped RESA record an upset victory.

Assists from Banele Radebe and Amukelo Mthombeni were crucial in RESA’s 3-0 win over last season’s fifth-placed finishers.

There were goals galore in league newbies, Rockevs FC‘s first GDL outing and they ended it with a share of the points after holding the seasoned Randburg AFC to a 3-3 draw.

While the winning margin was convincing, School of Excellence had to fight their way back from falling 0-2 behind to claim the points. They trailed 1-2 at the break.

Bad weather led to the game between Tuks and Kathorus Hyper Academy being called off.

RESULTS

Seven’s Academy 2-2 Highlands Park
SuperSport United 2-2 Kaizer Chiefs
Remember Elite Sport Academy 3-0 TS Galaxy
Rockevs FC 3-3 Randburg AFC
Wits Junior 4-3 Joburg City
School of Excellence 4-2 Panorama FC

Manchester City may be fourth in the English Premier League standings, with virtually no chance of climbing to the top spot this season, and many criticising their 2024/25 campaign. However, here at home, in South Africa, Highlands Park u19 coach, Sifiso Mnguni, takes inspiration from manager Pep Guardiola‘s tenure with City.

Who can blame Mnguni for drawing strength and learning from Guardiola’s journey at City? After all, the former Spanish international has won six league titles with the club since taking charge in 2016.

Mnguni, who will attempt to lead another defence of the Gauteng Development League (GDL) title this season, highlighted how Guardiola’s unique tactical approach and his belief in his ideas has impacted his own journey as a coach in an exclusive interview with SuperSport Schools Plus.

Mnguni has won back-to-back league titles with the “Lions of the North“, a feat that is incredibly hard to achieve.

“This guy evolved modern-era football. There are things in football that people say can’t happen because it is too risky,” Mnguni said when discussing Guardiola’s impact.

“He went to England and people said you can’t play from the back in England. He played from the back and changed the entire game.

“He changed English football and did the same in Germany and at home in Spain. He’s just a unique guy when it comes to approaching the beautiful game.”

With successive league titles in the bag, Mnguni told SuperSport Schools Plus that the second title carried more weight than the first because of the struggles that Highlands Park went through before coming out on top last season.

“The first one, we had a great team, a team that knew each other very well and a team that showed togetherness,” he said. “The second one, we had a lot of difficulties. It was just so painful. I felt like we needed to work extremely hard to achieve the back-to-back. It was so difficult to get this team going.

“We had to go to the Bayhill tournament [in Cape Town] by bus to build the team, for the players to get to know each other, and for us as the management staff, as well. We grew a lot together in that tournament and came back a totally different team.”

Mnguni will be faced with similar challenges this season. He’s seen many players depart, so it’s time for another rebuild.

However, with the experience he gained last season, Mnguni is confident he can make it work to his benefit and guide Highlands Park to another defence of the league title.

“To be honest, I have lost quite a few players,” he shared. “Egan Freese went to Chiefs, and others are now in the first team because our first team is challenging to get into the ABC Motsepe League and is on top of the log,” Mnguni said.

“We have to restructure and start again. We have four or five boys in the team. When you look at our u17 team and where they finished last year, it’s a bit tricky. It makes it difficult for us. We’ll try to build. For now, we look much better. We look decent.”

Mnguni’s second title defence of the title, and the start of an attempt to make it three GDL crowns on the trot, starts this coming weekend.