Concluding the month of August, Refilwe Ladies FC stunned one of the league’s leading contenders and, indeed, a dominant force, SAFA Academy.
Refilwe FC thwarted SAFA Academy’s aspirations for the league title on Sunday by persevering for a 3-2 win in a tight confrontation, which was not only highly entertaining but arguably the highlight of the weekend’s GWDL action.
While Mamelodi Sundowns defeated SAFA Academy earlier this month during the GWDL Women’s Festival, with a narrow 1-0 victory, Refilwe FC is the only community girls’ football team in the GWDL to have seen off SAFA Academy this season. Following Sunday’s one-point victory, SuperSport Schools Plus interviewed the u.17 Refilwe FC coach, Lindiwe Malaza, aka Coach Skhulu.
“Our preparation for the game against SAFA Academy wasn’t different from our approach to other league matches – we prioritise every game,” Malaza said. “However, we recognised the significance of facing a national team, which motivated us even more.”
Refilwe FC understood that defeating SAFA Academy would represent a huge milestone, particularly given that SAFA Academy’s sole defeat was against Sundowns, who currently lead the GWDL standings.
“We studied their style, noticing they love to rotate the ball, so we focused our training on pressing and supporting each other without the ball. We had a technical advantage, having done our homework on their tactics,” Malaza explained.
“I’m not surprised by my team’s performance; these girls understand their purpose and are driven to make their mark. The goals from Thando Mndaweni, Bokang Matebesi, and Dineo Gomosotho were crucial in securing the three points against SAFA Academy.
“We are now in the top three, and while teams will come at us with intensity, we will maintain our standard.”
Refilwe FC, founded in January 2024, has rapidly risen to prominence due to the team’s dedication to promoting women’s football and providing young girls with a platform to excel in both their academic and athletic pursuits. During the 2024 GWDL season, Refilwe FC experienced their most challenging season to date; however, this year, they have surprised everyone with their performances.
Earlier in 2025, the club’s founder, Lebo Ramodike, informed SuperSport Schools Plus that there was much more to anticipate this season, as they are working towards a shared objective of achieving success and fostering growth, particularly in development across all levels.
Coach Malaza acknowledged that they have gained valuable insights from their initial season and are committed to elevating the team to the next level.
“The support from our chairman, Lebo Ramodike, is a huge motivator – he ensures the players have everything they need and puts in a tremendous effort. We are all driven to make him proud and to create an unforgettable reputation at Curro Hazeldean,” Malaza said.
Results
Sunday, 31 August:
JVW 1-0 Edenvale FC
Highlands Park 2-1 Hellenic Falcons
Kempton Park 6-1 Dinoko Rondebult
Kenneth FC 2-0 Sporting CP
Mamelodi Sundowns 7-0 Tuks
Tornado Academy Ladies 2-0 Origin FC
Panorama FC 3-0 RESA
Refilwe FC 3-2 SAFA Academy
After a strong showing in Group A, Curro Wilgehuwel will take on Group B winners, Bishops, in the final of the St Andrew’s College Football Cup on Sunday. Photo: St Andrew’s College on Facebook.
The winner of the St Andrew’s College Football Cup is set to be decided on Sunday when Curro Wilgeheuwel and Bishops Diocesan College meet in the title game.
In Group A, after picking up to two wins on Friday – a 15-0 thumping of Kingswood College and a 2-0 win over Mrwetyane Secondary School 2-0 – Curro Wilgeheuwel maintained their impressive form.
However, they were unable to get the better of St Benedict’s College, playing to a 1-1 draw against their Gauteng counterparts.
Also in Group A, the St Andrew’s College A Team defeated their local rivals Kingswood 3-0 in the opening match on Saturday, but they fell 0-1 to both Mrwetyane and St Benedict’s College.
St Benedict’s College also secured a 2-0 victory over Victoria Park High, while the Gqeberha school drew 1-1 with Mrwetyane. Unfortunately for Kingswood, Victoria Park had their scoring boots on when they met the local side, charging to an impressive 8-0 victory.
In Group B, Bishops, who finished as the top team in the group, started their Saturday fixtures with a narrow 1-0 victory over Merrifield College. They added another 1-0 win over Trinityhouse Glenvista before being held to a 1-1 draw by the St Andrew’s College B Team.
Trinityhouse performed well, too, picking up a 1-0 victory over Andrew Moyane and a 2-1 win against the Joza Youth Hub.
In other Group B matches, Joza downed St Andrew’s College B 2-0 and cruised to a 5-0 win over Andrew Moyane, while Merrifield edged out Andrew Moyane and also won 3-1 against St Andrew’s College B.
Group A
St Andrew’s College A 3-0 Kingswood
St Benedict’s 2-0 Victoria Park
Mrwetyane 1-0 St Andrew’s College A
Curro Wilgeheuwel 15-0 Kingswood
Mrwetyane 1-1 Victoria Park
Curro Wilgeheuwel 1-1 St Benedict’s
Victoria Park 8-0 Kingswood
Curro Wilgehuwel 2-0 Mrwetyane
St Benedict’s 1-0 St Andrew’s College A
Group B
Bishops 1-0 Merrifield
Trinityhouse 1-0 Andrew Moyane
Joza 2-0 St Andrew’s College B
Merrifield 1-0 Andrew Moyane
Bishops 1-0 Trinityhouse
Joza 5-0 Andrew Moyane
Merrifield 3-1 St Andrew’s College B
Trinityhouse 2-1 Joza
St Andrew’s College B 1-1 Bishops
The St Andrew’s College FootballCup kicked off on Friday afternoon, with the intense competition and some unexpected results setting the stage for two more days of intriguing action.
In Group A, the St Andrew’s College A Team began their campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Gqeberha’s Victoria Park High, a team recognised as one of the top Eastern Cape sides.
After that big win, though, the hosts suffered a setback in their second outing, going down 0-1 to Curro Wilgeheuwel. Victoria Park, in their second match, shared a 1-1 draw with Curro Wilgeheuwel.
Kingswood College, St Andrew’s College’s great rivals, endured a challenging day, which included a stunning 0-11 defeat at the hands of St Benedict’s College. Kingswood also fell to Mrewtyane Secondary School, who scored a 4-0 win.
Mrewtyane’s, then, picked up a 2-0 victory over St Benedict’s to lead the way in Group A.
In Group B, the St Andrew’s College B Team mirrored the achievements of their A-team, securing a 2-1 victory over AndrewMoyane in their first match before being handed a 3-0 defeat by Trinityhouse Glenvista.
Trinityhouse earned maximum points by also beating Merrifield College, winning a tight contest 1-0. Unfortunately for Merrifield, they suffered a second 0-1 loss, going down to Joza Youth Hub.
It was a good day for Bishops, though, The Cape Town school edged out Andrew Moyane 1-0 and then overran Joza Youth Hub 5-0.
RESULTS
Friday, 29 August
Group A
St Andrew’s College A 1-0 Victoria Park
Mrwetyana 2-0 St Benedict’s
Victoria Park 1-1 Curro Wilgeheuwel
Mrwetyane 4-0 Kingswood
Curro Wilgeheuwel 1-0 St Andrew’s College A
St Benedict’s 11-0 Kingswood
Group B
St Andrew’s College B 2-1 Andrew Moyane
Joza 1-0 Merrifield
Bishops 1-0 Andrew Moyane
Trinityhouse Glenvista 1-0 Merrifield
Bishops 5-0 Joza
Trintyhouse Glenvista
Ahead of the weekend’s Gauteng Development League (GDL) action, SuperSport Schools Plus conducted an exclusive interview on Friday with the u19 Mamelodi Sundowns‘ coach, Kristopher Bergman.
He relocated to Gauteng province in January, having previously worked in Cape Town with the Ubuntu Football Academy, one the most respected football development institutions in South Africa.
Bergman remarked on the positive and professional atmosphere at Sundowns, noting that he is accustomed to such an environment due to his experience playing football at a professional level and his tenure at the Ubuntu Football Academy.
He said, too, that the GDL is highly competitive and emphasised that there are no gimmes. One must earn every result, which he believes is a true reflection of what professional football should be.
Bergman also provided a succinct comparison between the football scenes in the Western Cape and Gauteng when asked about the competitive level and intensity in both provinces.
“Both regions [Cape Town and Gauteng] possess their unique advantages,” he said. “In Cape Town, the style of play tends to be more direct. There may be one or two teams that attempt to build their play, to engage in a more structured approach. This tendency is largely due to the conditions, particularly during the winter months, when the availability of suitable pitches for a ball-playing style is limited.
“Consequently, many teams opt for a more direct approach, often utilising crosses into the box. By contrast, Gauteng boasts slightly better facilities, which enables teams to focus on building up play and initiating from the back.
“There is a diverse range of styles. Some teams adopt a direct approach while others prefer a more intricate style, which is beneficial for player development.
“Ultimately, that is our primary objective. We aim for players to experience a variety of football styles against different opponents. Overall, both regions have their strengths and weaknesses, along with areas that could be enhanced,” he said.
Bergman said that during his time as a professional footballer in the Premier Soccer League he was never the biggest or the fastest player, but that forced him to become a student of the game.
Kristopher Bergman is a retired professional football player who represented Santos, Chippa United, and Stellenbosch. He is coaching the upcoming generation of football players at Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: SuperSport.
“I did not have all the necessary physical tools that one may attribute to a player. I had to think about the game in a deeper way. I had to use the mind more than the body, and I think that really helped me into the coaching side of things because I always had to think about gaining an advantage in certain moments.”
Having played the game at the highest level aids in his man management, he said.
Addressing each situation as it arises is crucial, Bergman explained. Managing the load of several simultaneous competitions that young players face, playing for both schools and clubs, is essential.
Sundowns takes on TS Galaxy on Sunday, at Alex Stadium. With the race for the title intensifying, it is important for the contenders to stack wins and not drop points. The Brazilians are in the thick of the race along with the defending champion Highlands Park, Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA), Randburg AFC, and SuperSport United.
“I think their last four games they have dropped points and before that they had three wins,” Bergman said of the unpredictable challenge that awaits his side.
TS Galaxy is capable of delivering high-level performances on their best days, and they pose a variety of challenges, he added.
“They excel in set pieces, possess effective long throws, and have skilled players on the wings, who can provide quality crosses into the box.
“We are making the necessary preparations. We understand that we need to go out and compete for every ball.
“No results will be given to us. We have to go out there. We have to go and work for it,” Bergman emphasised.
His team’s preparations have been satisfactory, he told SuperSport Schools Plus, and they have included integrating several u16 players into the u19 team.
“With that, they have brought a bit of youthfulness. Young players come in with this freedom of ideas. It’s just about aligning them with what we want as a team but providing a platform [for them] to go and express themselves without fear. If you good enough, you’re old enough,” he said of the influx of young talent.
“Ultimately, our goal is to establish momentum following a somewhat turbulent period. We must return to our previous winning form,” he concluded.
South Africa celebrates victory with the trophy after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations u20 Final against Morocco at 30 June Stadium, in Cairo, on 18 May 2025. Photo: Ayman Aref/BackpagePix.
With less than a month to go until the global showpiece kicks off in Chile, Amajita’s coach, Raymond Mdaka, announced a squad on Wednesday that features talented players who have been making waves both locally and internationally.
Amajita, the 10-time champions of the Cosafa region, head into the u20 FIFA World Cup with a sense of pride and confidence after lifting the Afcon title for the first time in the nation’s history in May after defeating Morocco 1-0 in the final, held in Egypt, thanks to a long-range goal by Mamelodi Sundowns‘ midfielder Gomolemo Kekana.
A year before claiming the Afcon honours, Mdaka’s team secured the Cosafa title in Mozambique by defeating their arch-rival, Zambia in the final. Zambia has historically posed stiff challenges to South Africa’s aspirations in both the boys’ and girls’ development Cosafa tournaments.
In July, South Africa captured their tenth Cosafa title. The event formed part of the 11th annual African Union Sport Council Region 5 Youth Games in Namibia and featured various other sports, including athletics and basketball.
However, it wasn’t Amajita who were in action. Rather, it was the u17 National Team, known as Amajimbos, who were led by coach Vela Khumalo.
His young squad, which included emerging talents like Emile Witbooi, performed admirably and the tournament served as a valuable test for Amajimbos, who will contest the u17 FIFA World Cup, in November, in Qatar.
Taking a look at Mdaka’s preliminary squad, SuperSport Schools Plus was delighted to see the inclusion Siyabonga Mabena, a graduate of the School of Excellence and a current player for Mamelodi Sundowns.
He is a young talent who is cherished not only by the fans of the Brazilians but also by fans of the national team because of his captivating skills. Mabena played a significant role in South Africa’s Cosafa title win in 2024, but he missed out on the u20 Afcon because of an injury.
His rise to prominence was shared with a global audience in 2024 when he was recognised as one of the top 60 young footballers by TheGuardiannewspaper in an article titled “Next Generation 2024: 60 of the best young talents in world football“.
See Mabena being recognised on the world stage was a morale booster, not only for the player himself but also for the game in South Africa.
Tylon Smith, Amajita defender, scored the winning goal against Nigeria in the u20 Afcon semifinals
Another player included in preliminary squad, who is almost certain to be named in the final selection is Tylon Smith. After excelling at the u20 Afcon, Smith secured a permanent transfer to Queens Park Rangers (QPR), which competes in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football. Earlier this month, he made his senior debut for QPR.
Smith, the scorer of the winning goal against Nigeria in the semi-finals of Afcon, is a key player for South Africa. He’s a defensive force and was named the Player of the Tournament at the u20 Afcon.
Goalkeeper Fletcher Symthe-Lowe could, arguably, be viewed as the most valuable player in the squad. His exceptional performances were crucial to South Africa’s victories in the Cosafa and Afcon tournaments.
Some football analysts and commentators in South Africa have even advocated for Symthe-Lowe to be fast-tracked into Bafana Bafana‘s goalkeeping camp to expose him to the senior international level.
He was rightfully awarded the Best Goalkeeper of the u20 Afcon for his outstanding contributions throughout the tournament. Since then, he has transferred his skills to Portuguese Primeira Liga club, Estoril Praia FC.
Langelihle Phili, who plays for Stellenbosch FC, graduated in 2022 from Glenwood High. His former coach, Khaya Mngwengwe, who serves as the Director of Soccer and coach of the Green Machine, expressed his admiration for Phili when he represented Amajita during the u20 Afcon in Cairo, which served to underline the excellence of Glenwood’s football programme.
Indeed, Glenwood has been gaining recognition recently with players like Alakhe Mdluli, from Eswatini, who captained the Green Machine to the KZNHSFA Coastal A-League and the Primo Big titles in 2024. He was also an important player in the Glenwood team that secured the league title in 2023.
Mdluli now plays for AmaZulu and made his senior internation debut for Eswatini at the recent Cosafa tournament held in Bloemfontein.
The Orlando Pirates midfielder, Simphiwe Selepe is one of the youngest talents to emerge from Esgodini towards the end of last season and has been selected for the preliminary Amajita squad by Mdaka. Photo: BackpagePix on Facebook.
Other players to keep an eye on include Mfundo Vilakazi, Luke Baartman, and Simphiwe Selepe, from Orlando Pirates, who stepped up towards the end of last season under former Bucs‘ coach José Riveiro.
Riveiro demonstrated faith and instilled confidence in many of the young stars of Pirates who are currently playing first-team football. Among these players are Mohau Nkota, who now plays for Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League, Relebohile Mofokeng, and Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
Mbokazi, aged 19, played a crucial role in Mdaka’s squad when they secured the Cosafa title in Mozambique in 2024, forming a dominant defensive partnership with Smith.
He has demonstrated further growth and leadership in his football, captaining Orlando Pirates in their opening fixtures of the season, and it looks likely that he will be fast tracked to the senior national team, Bafana Bafana.
Mdaka’s team is rich in talent, and South African football fans will be pleased to learn that Shandre Campbell, who was named in the SuperSport Schools Class of 2023 and currently plays for Club Brugge, in Belgium, has also been named in the preliminary squad.
His club did not release him for the u20 Afcon, which was a significant loss. Still, without Campbell and Mabena, Amjita went all the way to the title.
However, the addition of the duo, will enhance the South Africa u20 squad, but, at the same time, it will make the decisions on the final squad all the more difficult for the coach and his technical team.
Goalkeepers
Fletcher Smythe-Lowe – Estoril Praia FC (Portugal)
Takalani Mazhamba – Kaizer Chiefs
Kgoleng Ratisani – Sekhukhune United FC
Musa Masemola – Via Sport
Defenders
Sfiso Timba – Kaizer Chiefs
Asekho Tiwani – Mamelodi Sundowns
Neo Rapoo – Siwelele FC
Gopolong Taunyane – Kaizer Chiefs
Siviwe Nkwali – Stellenbosch FC
Thato Sibiya – Mamelodi Sundowns
Tylon Smith – Queens Park Rangers (England)
Midfielders
Lazola Makola – SuperSport United Academy
Patrick Autata – Durban City FC
Gomolemo Kekana – Mamelodi Sundows
Simphiwe Selepe – Orlando Pirates
Faiz Abrahams – Hapoel Kfar Saba (Israel)
Kutlwano Letlhaku – Mamelodi Sundowns
Mfundo Vilakazi – Kaizer Chiefs
Shakeel April – Cape Town City FC
Gabriel Amato – Cape Town City FC
Thato Mpati – Magesi FC
Forward
Langelihle Phili – Stellenbosch FC
Kgomotso Madiba – Stars of Africa
Shandre Campbell – Club Brugge (Belgium)
Siyabonga Mabena – Mamelodi Sundowns
Thabang Mahlangu – Siwelele FC
Jody Ah Shene – Cape Town City FC
Siviwe Magidigidi – Siwelele FC
Naledi Hlongwane – Kaizer Chiefs
Luke Baartman – Kaizer Chiefs
Northwood and Mairtzburg College remain in the hunt for the Cowie Cup. They recently met twice at the Primo Big 10, with both matches ending in draws, but the Knights progressed to the semi-finals after a penalty shootout. Photo: Brad Morgan.
The Mancosa KZNHSFA Cowie Cup, after several weeks of sluggish progress, is headed towards its business end following the completion of the round of 16 fixtures, and some results have shaken up the competition.
During an intensified period of third-term football, unexpected results have become commonplace, and several of KwaZulu-Natal’s most prominent teams have suffered elimination.
Glenwood High, who won the Coastal A-League in 2023 and 2024, as well as the Primo Big 10 last year, fell to Brettonwood, who claimed the KZN Coastal C-Leaguetitle in June.
Despite Glenwood’s advantage in experience and their participation at a higher level of competition, it was Brettonwood who prevailed 4-3 from the penalty spot after the teams had finished regulation time level at 1-1.
Northwood‘s impressive resurgence continued, meanwhile, when they delivered an exceptional performance in a decisive 4-0 victory over St Nicholas Diocesan School.
Queensburgh High, the runner-up in the Coastal B-League, was pushed all the way by Reddam House Umhlanga. They played to a 1-1 draw, and the subsequent penalty shootout went all the way to sudden death before Queensburgh scraped through 6-5 from the spot.
The showdown between Greytown High and Bechet High extended even further, with Greytown snatching a 7-6 penalty shootout win following an exciting 2-2 draw in regulation time.
Port Shepstone dominated Newton School, romping to a 5-0 victory that propelled Sheppie into the quarterfinals.
Carter High, the runners-up of the KZNHSFA Inland A-League, also moved into the quarterfinals after a hard-fought 1-0 win over New Forest. Their Pietermaritzburg rivals, Maritzburg College, scored a 2-0 win over Fairvale Secondary School.
The quarterfinals’ lineup has thrown up some interesting fixtures, with Northwood tackling Queensburgh High, and Brettonwood aiming to continue their giant-killing form against Maritzburg College.
Carter High will head into their clash with Greytown favoured to advance to the semi-finals, while the remaining match, between Port Shepstone and Alexandra High, might well prove to be the pick of the bunch.
Cowie Cup Last 16 Results
Queensburgh High (6) 1-1 (5) Reddam House Umhlanga
Maritzburg College 2-0 Fairvale
Newton 0-5 Port Shepstone
Alexandra 2-1 Westville
New Forest 0-1 Carter
Greytown (7) 2-2 (6) Bechet
Quarter Finals
Queensburgh vs Northwood
Brettonwood vs Maritzburg College
Port Shepstone vs Alexandra
Carter vs Greytown
St Andrew’s College, in Makhanda, hosts the St Andrew’s College Football Cup from Friday, 29 August, to Saturday, 31 August, with the event featuring both first teams and u15 sides.
The lineup includes from Johannesburg, Cape Town, and the Eastern Cape, ensuring a rich diversity and a highly competitive atmosphere while also honouring the spirit and competitiveness of school football.
It’s about both participation and excellence, bringing together schools which wouldn’t often compete on the football field.
Trophies and medals will be on the line for the winners of both tournaments, while every participant will receive a bucket hat and a tournament T-shirt as keepsakes.
At the event’s conclusion, a Best XI, selected by the referees, will be awarded a special edition T-shirt.
The u19 competition includes four teams from outside of the Eastern Cape – Curro Wilgeheuwel, St Benedict’s College, Bishops, and Trinityhouse Glenvista.
St Andrew’s College A and B, Mrwetyana Secondary School, Victoria Park High, Kingswood College, Andrew Moyane School of Excellence, Joza Youth Hub, and Merrifield College will fly the flag for the Eastern Cape.
TEAMS
Group A
St Andrew’s College A, Curro Wilgeheuwel, Mrwetyana Secondary School, St Benedict’s College, Victoria Park High, Kingswood College
Group B
St Andrew’s College B, Andrew Moyane, Bishops Diocesan College, Joza Youth Hub, Trinityhouse Glenvista, Merrifield College
FIXTURES
Friday, 29 August
Knowling Field 1
Match 1 – 15:00 – St Andrew’s College A vs Victoria Park
Match 2 – 16:00 – Mrwetyana vvs St Benedict’s
Match 3 – 17:00 – Victoria Park vs Curro Wilgeheuwel
Match 4 – 18:00 – Mrwetyana vs Kingswood
Match 5 – 19:00 – St Andrew’s College A vs Curro Wilgeheuwel
Match 6 – 20:00 – St Benedict’s vs Kingswood
Knowling Field 2
Match 1 – 15:00 – St Andrew’s College B vs Andrew Moyane
Match 2 – 16:00 – Joza vs Merrifield
Match 3 – 17:00 – Andrew Moyane vs Bishops
Match 4 – 18:00 – Trinityhouse vs Merrifield
Match 5 – 19:00 – Bishops vs Joza
Match 6 – 20:00 – St Andrew’s College B vs Trinityhouse
Saturday, 30 August
Knowling Field 1
Match 7 – 08:00 – St Andrew’s College A vs Kingswood
Match 8 – 09:00 – St Benedict’s vs Victoria Park
Match 9 – 10:00 – St Andrew’s College A vs Mrwetyana
Match 10- 11:00 – Curro Wilgeheuwel vs Kingswood
Match 11 – 12:00 – Mrwetyana vs Victoria Park
Match 12 – 13:00 – Curro Wilgeheuwel vs St Benedict’s
Match 13 – 14:00 – Victoria Park vs Kingswood
Match 14 – 15:00 – Curro Wilgeheuwel vs Mrwetyana
Match 15 – 16:00 – St Andrew’s College A vs St Benedict’s
Match 16 – 17:00 – Group A Second vs Group B Second
Knowling Field B
Match 7 – 08:00 – Merrifield vs Bishops
Match 8 – 09:00 – Trinityhouse vs Andrew Moyane
Match 9 – 10:00 – Joza vs St Andrew’s College B
Match 10 – 11:00 – Andrew Moyane vs Merrifield
Match 11 – 12:00 – Bishops vs Trintyhouse
Match 12 – 13:00 – Joza vs Andrew Moyane
Match 13 – 14:00 – Merrifield vs St Andrew’s College B
Match 14 – 15:00 – Joza vs Trinityhouse
Match 15 – 16:00 – St Andrew’s College B vs Bishops
Match 16 – 17:00 – Group A Third vs Group B Third
Sunday, 31 August
Knowling Field 1
Match 17 – 08:00 – Group A Fifth vs Group B Fifth
Match 18 – 09:00 – Group A Sixth vs Group B Sixth
Match 19 – 10:00 – Group A First vs Group B First
Knowling Field 2
Match 17 – 08:00 – Group A Fourth vs Group B Fourth
Captain Zinhle Mkhize, of the u17 Mamelodi Sundowns team, and her teammates continue to set the pace in the GWDL. Photo: Karabo Vigour on Instagram.
The month of August holds particular importance for the Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL), with Women’s Day falling on 9 August.
To celebrate it, the league hosts the GWDLWomen’s Day Festival, which honours women’s contributions to football and celebrates the future of young stars in the game.
Ahead of the latest round of GWDL fixtures on Sunday, SuperSport Schools Plus spoke with Mondli Dube, the Administrator of the GWDL League and SAFA Gauteng, about the GWDL’s special month.
Commenting on the Women’s Day Festival, he said the event, hosted at Curro Hazeldean, in Pretoria, by Refilwe FC, was a resounding success. All teams were in action, including this season’s newcomers – Hellenic Falcons FC, Dinoko Rondebult, and SAFA Academy.
Dube said a high level of competitiveness and fair play was exhibited, while families, supporters, and community members attended in large numbers. The players, also, gained experience, confidence, and visibility through the live broadcast provided by SuperSport Schools.
Dube said the GWDL continues to gradually expand, and he praised the teams for their dedication to advancing women’s football.
The results are evident. One of the big success stories has been Katlego Malebana, who plays for the Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies first team and has been included in the team for the ongoing Cosafa CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers, in Johannesburg.
Players like Malebana, despite being only 16 years of age, are a testament to the growth and success of the GWDL. She is not a lone shining star, though. Other players from the GWDL have also participated in development Cosafa tournaments and the CAF African Schools Football Championship, which South Africa won in 2024, when Malebana captained the side.
SAFA Academy’s South African Development national player, Leonay Kock, on the ball in a GWDL match against Mamelodi Sundowns during the Women’s Day Festival. Photo: SAFA Gauteng on Facebook.
Striker Leonay Kock, for example, plays for SAFA Academy and is a member of the u17 South African National Team.
“One thing that I took from the GWDL Women’s Day Festival was that the talent in women’s football is growing stronger, and with the right support these players can go very far,” Dube said.
To maintain the momentum beyond August, Dube said the GWDL would continue to concentrate on creating opportunities for young women footballers. He said the league would aim to create additional pathways for exceptional players to join academies and advance to higher leagues.
He mentioned the necessity of enhancing media coverage, which is generally lacking in women’s football within the country, by creating player spotlights and collaborating with media outlets to share the talent present in the GWDL.
Furthermore, Dube emphasised the importance of developing players off the pitch by providing and establishing platforms for life skills training and mentorship programmes.
The GWDL also tracks players’ progress through reports and feedback from teams to ensure continuous improvement.
While he expressed confidence that the league is on the right track, Dube said there is still room for improvement and a need for greater consistency.
“One day, we will triumph in the women’s FIFA World Cup,” he reckoned. “It is easy to lose sight of the journey while fixating on the destination. The future of women’s football is promising, and we are at the forefront on this continent.”
Remember Elite Sport Academy and Highlands Park in a GWDL clash during the GWDL Women’s Festival at Curro Hazeldean earlier this month. Photo: SAFA Gauteng on Facebook.
Meanwhile, the battle for the GWDL title has developed into a two-horse race between Mamelodi Sundowns and SAFA Academy. Currently, the Brazilians are four points clear of SAFA Academy, but their chasers have some games in hand.
There are tight battles being fought between the other teams to finish high up the league table and Dube has commended all teams for their unity, discipline, passion, hunger, determination, and resilience, which have stood out.
Players have not only developed their skills on the field, he said, but they have also grown as leaders.
In conclusion, Dube said he was pleased to witness a wide diversity of playing styles, which has enriched and enlivened the league.
He said every team possesses untapped potential that can be realised with the appropriate support.
The third term’s football season is heating up, with some teams having made big leaps forward from the form they displayed in the second term.
Big credit to Northwood School. They’re a team that has turned their season around in impressive style.
During the second term’s Mancosa KwaZulu-Natal High Schools Football Association (KZNHSFA), Coastal A-League, the Knights endured one of their most challenging campaigns in recent years and came close to being relegated to the Coastal B-League. However, they avoided the slide by defeating Pinetown Boys’ High 3-0 in their final round-robin match.
Since the start of the third term, Northwood has come out with renewed determination and that fresh hunger has lifted them to many wins. Recently, they finished as the runner-up in the Primo Big 10, at Hilton College. Then, last week, they qualified for the quarterfinals of the Mancosa KZNHSFA Cowie Cup following a 4-0 victory over St Nicholas Diocesan School.
It wasn’t a good week for Westville, with the Griffin also exiting the Cowie Cup at the hands of Pietermaritzburg’s Alexandra High School, who scored a 2-1 win.
The Northwood XI Football Team has transformed their season in an unforgettable manner following a sluggish and disappointing start to their campaign. Photo: Northwood on Facebook.
In another surprising turn of events in the Cowie Cup, Brettonwood surprised Glenwood High, who have been inconsistent this season after two outstanding seasons, which included winning the Coastal A-League in successive years, and the Primo Big 10 last year. After their clash had ended 1-1, Brettonwood triumphed 4-3 in a penalty shootout.
In a Pietermaritzburg derby, St Charles College secured a 1-0 home victory over Maritzburg College.
TheRed, Black, and White team dominated the opening 15 minutes of the game but struggled to penetrate the hard-working Saints‘ midfield.
Once St Charles began to gain the upper hand in the middle of the park, their confidence grew, with Connor Green and captain Shaun Sithole leading the way.
It was goalless at halftime, but Saints raised their intensity after the break and found space down the flanks.
They scored, though, from a free kick, with dead-ball expert Covhan Baatjies laying on an inviting ball to the near post for Gubhuza Mlambo, who dived at full stretch to head it into the back of the net, leaving Maritzburg College’s goalkeeper and captain, CJ Sukraj with no chance of pulling off a save.
St Charles had a chance to extend their lead when Mlambo successfully evaded the offside trap, but Sukraj executed a fine save.
Carter High added another win to their record on Saturday, handing Kloof High School a 2-0 defeat.
Selborne College enjoyed a successful week in the East London High Schools Football League, earning four points from two outings. Photo: Selborne College on Facebook.
In the East London High Schools Football League, the reigning champions, Stutterheim High, and Selborne College are engaged in a tight tussle for the title. Currently, Selborne tops the standings, on 34 points, with Stutterheim only one point adrift, on 33.
On Wednesday, Stutterheim claimed a 2-1 win over Cathcart High, while Selborne downed West Bank High 3-1 on Thursday. On the same day, Merrifield College picked up a 2-0 win over George Randell High.
On Friday, Selborne returned to the pitch but were held to a 1-1 draw by Hudson Park.
Dale College wasn’t involved in any league matches, but they met their arch-rivals, Queen’s College, in a derby clash in Komani. They shared the spoils, with the clash ending 2-2.
In Gauteng, Jeppe High School for Boys continued to build on a strong season with a 4-1 win over Parktown Boys’ High on Saturday. King Edward VII School (KES) also delivered a good performance, edging out Pretoria Boys High 1-0.
In the Western Cape, in an entertaining clash, Wynberg Boys’ High picked up a 4-2 victory over Rondebosch Boys’ High.
RESULTS
Mancosa KZNHSFA Cowie Cup: Last 16
Northwood 4-0 St Nicholas
Alexandra High 2-1 Westville Boys’ High
Brettonwood (4) 1-1 (3) Glenwood
B Block BWFLA High Schools League/East London High Schools League
Wednesday
Stutterheim High 2-1 Cathcart
Thursday
Selborne College 3-1 West Bank
Merrifield College 2-0 George Randell High
Friday
Selborne College 1-1 Hudson Park
Queen’s vs Dale Derby
Thursday
Dale College 2-2 Queen’s College
KwaZulu-Natal
St Charles College 1-0 Maritzburg College
Northwood 2-1 Westville Boys’ High
Carter High 2-0 Kloof High
Gauteng
KES 1-0 Pretoria Boys High School
Jeppe 4-1 Parktown
The competition at the top of the Gauteng Development League (GDL) is intensifying, and the past weekend was no exception.
One team, though, has particularly attracted the attention of spectators lately, despite being in a mid-table position. Kathorus Hyper Academy has recently gained a reputation as a giant slayer and has recently taken points off of, among others, Mamelodi Sundowns and the Gauteng Engen Knockout Challenge champions, Panorama FC.
Whatever they’re doing is working and Kathorus Hyper Academy appears to be a team in full swing in recent weeks. On Saturday, at Huntersfield Stadium, TS Galaxy became the latest team to fall foul of Kathorus, who scored a narrow 1-0 victory.
Mojalefe Nyelele scored the game winner to help Kathorus add another three points to their tally.
Kaizer Chiefs showcased moments of brilliance at home against the School of Excellence in a 4-1 victory. Gift Phoku was in excellent form, scoring two goals for the Glamour Boys, while Andile Mtsweni and Karabo Ntsala also made it onto the score sheet as Chiefs overwhelmed the visitors.
At Curro Sagewood, SuperSport United and Seven’s Academy clashed in an exciting and fiercely contested match, which ended in a 2-1 victory for the Tshwane side, with Samkelo Ngongeni and Orifha Maubelo netting the decisive goals for SuperSport United, while Levaan Rose slotted a consolation goal for Seven’s Academy.
Wits Junior bagged a big win on Saturday, defeating Tuks 4-1, while Joburg City and Elspark United picked up a point each after a 2-2 draw. The two-time defending champion, Highlands Park, who are in the running for a three-peat, intensified their pursuit of the title with another win, beating league newcomers, Rockefvs, 2-0.
On Sunday, the GDL action shifted to Randburg, where Randburg AFC faced off against Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA). With both teams among the top five contenders, there was plenty on the line, and it was the visitors, RESA, who claimed a hard-fought win, edging out Randburg 2-1, thanks to goals from Onthatile Lemao and Tshepo Mofaladi.
GDL Results
Saturday, 23 August
Kathorus Hyper Academy 1-0 TS Galaxy
Kaizer Chiefs 4-1 School of Excellence
Wits Junior 4-1 Tuks
Joburg City 2-2 Elspark United
SuperSport United 2-1 Seven’s Academy
Highlands Park 2-0 Rockefvs
Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 East Rand Athletic Club
Ahead of the weekend’s Gauteng Development League (GDL) action, 
St Andrew’s College, in Makhanda, hosts the St Andrew’s College Football Cup from Friday, 29 August, to Saturday, 31 August, with the event featuring both first teams and u15 sides.
The competition at the top of the Gauteng Development League (GDL) is intensifying, and the past weekend was no exception.