The reigning champion of the Gauteng Development League (GDL), Mamelodi Sundowns, was in dominant form on the weekend, defeating Africa School of Excellence 8-0 on Saturday and Rockefvs 5-0 on Sunday.
Not only did the Brazilians improve their goal differential by 13 goals, but they also picked up six points in the standings, while the team they’re chasing at the top lost.
Playing at home, at Clapham High School, Sundowns opened the scoring against Africa School of Excellence in the ninth minute through Ntokozo Madondo, assisted by Thato Moalusi. Just two minutes later, Thabang Makoba made it 2-0, thanks to Siyabonga Mbongo‘s approach work.
In the 16th minute, Makoba and Mbongo linked up once more for Sundowns’ third. Six minutes before halftime, it was Mbongo’s turn to score, with Madondo turning provider.
He grabbed his second before the halftime whistle blew, again assisted by Moalusi.
In the second half, the defending champions’ hunger was on full display. It took them only six minutes to increase their lead to 6-0, with Liano Snyders finishing the move after receiving a through pass from Mbongo.
Two minutes after Snyders’ goal, Junior Masoeu added Sundowns’ seventh, with Snyders supplying the assist this time.
He was again the provider when Sundowns completed the scoring in the 76th minute, with Masoeu netting for the second time.
On Sunday, the Brazilians returned to the field, this time to tackle Rockefvs in a Tshwane derby at the Association of the Portuguese Community (ACCP) Sports Grounds.
Despite playing at home, Rockefvs proved no match for the formidable Chloorkop-based club, as Sundowns bounded to a 5-0 victory over their Pretoria rivals.
Ntokozo Madondo again slotted a ninth-minute opener, and further goals, scored by Zayyaan Nizamdin, Kgaogelo Monanyane, and Inganathi Simana, powered the visitors into a convincing 4-0 lead at the break.
Another strike by Thabang Makoba completed a comprehensive victory.
With the two wins, Mamelodi Sundowns have moved to within three points of Kaizer Chiefs, who top the standings with 56 points. The Brazilians, though, have two games in hand.
David Mathebula’s Kaizer Chiefs team is under heavy pressure after dropping points on Sunday. They were well beaten by Siwelele, who recorded a 3-0 win.
Lizalize Mahumza put Siwelele ahead in the 18th minute, thanks to an assist from Kabelo Mofokeng. Three minutes before halftime, it was 2-0 to the Pretoria side, with Mahumza netting again.
Lebo Dhlamini gave the Phefeni Glamour Boys hope of a late comeback when he scored in the 89th minute of the game, but it was too little too late, and Siwelele made sure of the points with a 94th-minute goal from Onthatile Lemao.
Earlier in the season, Kaizer Chiefs won the GDL Top 8 title and the Gauteng Engen Knockout Challenge, but their pursuit of the GDL honours is now under serious threat, with Sundowns, in good form, surging.
Also on Saturday, Salimu Makhomu scored for Prestige Football Academy, while Brian Molefe found the back of the net for Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) as the teams shared a 1-1 draw. It was a gritty performance from RESA, who lost Botshele Hlalele to a red card early in the contest for a reckless tackle on an opponent.
Panorama scored a 2-1 victory over Rockefvs, with Neo Maswabi and Kayle Thomas netting for the winners.
Jomo Cosmos also scored a 2-1 victory, downing the University of Pretoria (Tuks), while Pitso Mosimane Youth Football (PMYF) won by the same score against Highlands Park, and Randburg also won 2-1 against Future of Africa.
Seven’s Academy fell to a 0-2 loss to Kathorus Hyper Academy, with Moeketse Monese providing the assists for the goals, scored by Aobakwe Ntsheki and Lethukuthula Masango.
Joburg City and Wits Juniors played to a 1-1 draw.
RESULTS
Saturday, 12 September
u19 Results
RESA 1-1 Prestige
Mamelodi Sundowns 8-0 Africa School of Excellence
Panorama 2-1 Rockefvs
Jomo Cosmos 2-1 Tuks
Kathorus 2-0 Seven’s Academy
PMYF 2-1 Highlands Park
Joburg City 1-1 Wits Juniors
Randburg 3-1 Future of Africa
u17 Results
RESA 2-1 Prestige
Mamelodi Sundowns 5-2 Africa School of Excellence
Panorama 2-1 Rockefvs
Tuks 1-0 Jomo Cosmos
Kathorus 1-0 Seven’s Academy
PMYF 4-1 Highlands Park
Joburg City 0-0 Wits Juniors
Future of Africa 1-0 Randburg
u15 Results
Prestige 1-1 RESA
Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 Africa School of Excellence
Panorama 4-0 Rockefvs
Jomo Cosmos 3-3 Tuks
Seven’s Academy 1-1 Seven’s Academy
Highlands Park 2-2 PMYF
Joburg City 1-1 Wits Juniors
Randburg 2-2 Future of Africa
u14 Results
RESA 1-0 Prestige
Mamelodi Sundowns 6-0 Africa School of Excellence
Panorama 3-0 Rockefvs
Jomo Cosmos 2-1 Tuks
Kathorus 3-0 Seven’s Academy
PMYF 3-1 Highlands Park
Joburg City 1-0 Wits Juniors
Future of Africa 4-1 Randburg
u13 Results
Panorama 4-0 Rockefvs
Tuks 3-1 Jomo Cosmos
Seven’s Academy 1-0 Kathorus
Sunday, 13 September
u19 Results
Mamelodi Sundowns 5-0 Rockefvs
Siwelele 3-1 Kaizer Chiefs
u17 Results
Mamelodi Sundowns 4-0 Rockefvs
Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 Siwelele
u15 Results
Kaizer Chiefs 3-1 Siwelele
u14 Results
Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 Rockefvs
Kaizer Chiefs 5-1 Siwelele
u13 Results
Mamelodi Sundowns 10-1 Rockefvs
