By Johnathan Paoli
Mamelodi Sundowns sent a warning to Kaizer Chiefs in the Gauteng Development League (GDL) title race, scoring 13 goals in two matches over the weekend as the defending champions closed to within three points of the leaders.
The Brazilians first demolished Africa School of Excellence 8-0 at Clapham High School, Tshwane on Saturday before returning to action on Sunday to hammer Tshwane rivals Rockefvs 5-0 at the Association of the Portuguese Community (ACCP) Sports Grounds.
ALSO READ: Mpumalanga gives officials until end of week to resolve scholar transport issues
Chiefs, meanwhile, suffered a damaging setback in their pursuit of the league title in Naturena, south of Johannesburg, going down 3-1 to Siwelele on Sunday.
The results have intensified the pressure at the top of the GDL, with Chiefs sitting on 56 points and Sundowns three points behind.
Crucially, Sundowns have two games in hand, giving the reigning champions a significant opportunity to overhaul the leaders.
Sundowns’ weekend started with an eight-goal demolition of Africa School of Excellence.
Ntokozo Madondo opened the scoring in the ninth minute after being set up by Thato Moalusi, before Thabang Makoba doubled the lead two minutes later following good work from Siyabonga Mbongo.
ALSO READ: Inclusive education must move beyond specialist teachers
Makoba and Mbongo combined again in the 16th minute to make it 3-0, before Mbongo got on the scoresheet himself in the 39th minute, with Madondo providing the assist.
Mbongo completed his brace before half-time, again benefiting from Moalusi’s delivery, as Sundowns went into the break five goals ahead.
After the break, Liano Snyders made it 6-0 in the 51st minute after receiving a through pass from Mbongo, before Junior Masoeu struck twice to complete the rout.
Snyders provided the assist for Masoeu’s first goal just two minutes later and again supplied the final pass in the 76th minute as Masoeu completed his brace.
ALSO READ: DA turns up heat on Manamela as NSFAS shortfall heads towards R33bn
Having scored eight on Saturday, Sundowns returned to the field less than 24 hours later and produced another great performance against Rockefvs.
Madondo again found the net in the ninth minute before Zayyaan Nizamdin, Kgaogelo Monanyane and Inganathi Simana added goals to give Sundowns a commanding 4-0 lead at half-time.
Makoba added the fifth after the break to complete a six-point weekend for the champions.
The results came at the perfect time for Sundowns, who had been chasing Chiefs at the top of the table while carrying games in hand.
Chiefs’ defeat to Siwelele means the gap has now narrowed further, with the Phefeni Glamour Boys unable to match Sundowns’ momentum.
Siwelele took control of Sunday’s match through Lizalize Mahumza, who opened the scoring in the 18th minute after an assist from Kabelo Mofokeng.
Mahumza struck again three minutes before half-time to put Siwelele 2-0 ahead.
Chiefs found a late lifeline when Lebo Dhlamini scored in the 89th minute, but any hopes of a comeback were ended when Onthatile Lemao scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time to seal a 3-1 victory.
The defeat is a blow to Chiefs’ hopes of completing a successful GDL campaign. The club have already won the GDL Top 8 title and the Gauteng Engen Knockout Challenge this season, but their pursuit of the league championship is now under serious threat.
Elsewhere in the under-19 division on Saturday, Prestige Football Academy and Remember Elite Sport Academy drew 1-1, while Panorama beat Rockefvs 2-1.
Jomo Cosmos defeated the University of Pretoria (Tuks) 2-1, Pitso Mosimane Youth Football beat Highlands Park 2-1 and Randburg overcame Future of Africa 3-1.
Kathorus Hyper Academy defeated Seven’s Academy 2-0, while Joburg City and Wits Juniors drew 1-1.
Sundowns also enjoyed strong results across the younger age groups, beating Africa School of Excellence 5-2 in the under-17s, 2-0 in the under-15s and 6-0 in the under-14s.
Their under-13 side completed an extraordinary weekend by beating Rockefvs 10-1.
With Sundowns having two games in hand on Chiefs, the champions now have the league leaders firmly within their sights.
The two wins have reduced the deficit to three points, while the 13 goals provided further evidence that the title race could be heading for a dramatic finish.
