Author: ongcwabe

Kathorus Hyper Academy stunned Mamelodi Sundowns on Match Day 20 of the ongoing Gauteng Development League as they edged the log-leaders 1-0 to continue winning their run.

At this point in the season, purely because of the nature of the proceedings thus far, it comes with very little surprise that the 11th-placed Kathorus Hyper Academy were able to beat Mamelodi Sundowns this past weekend, a feat that only one team has been able to achieve 20 weeks into the season.

Mamelodi Sundowns have been dominant throughout the season; however, Kathorus Hyper Academy had momentum on their side, having beaten the 2025 Gauteng Engen Knock Challenge winners Panorama FC the week before.

Read: “We feel for Kathorus Hyper Academy,” says Panorama FC coach Luyanda Gcabashe.
Read: Kathorus Hyper silences Panorama FC

With Sundowns having suffered their second loss of the season, coach Skhosiphi Mgobozi and his Randburg AFC troops missed a golden opportunity to take the top spot on the log standings, having sat at second place for the majority of the season.

Mgobozi’s message to his players was quite clear going into Match Day 20 against East Rand Athletic Club, and it was a message where the coach asked his players to give East Rand all the respect they deserve, get a victory and show no complacency.

Read: “We respect East Rand Athletic Club,” says Randburg AFC coach Skhosiphi Mgobozi.

However, despite Mgobozi’s request and message to his players, East Rand held their ground on Saturday, forcing a one-all draw at home against a team that has been impressive throughout the season.

In other fixtures, Kaizer Chiefs returned to winning ways, beating Tuks 6-3 away from home, while their neighbours SuperSport United beat School of Excellence 3-0 away from home.

Rockefvs FC suffered a 2-3 loss to Elspark United Academy in what was a newbies derby, Jomo Cosmos lost 0-1 to defending champions Highlands Park, while Panorama FC secured a 2-1 victory over TS Galaxy to get their redemption.

On Sunday, Joburg City managed to move past Seven’s Academy, beating them 2-0 at home to move back into the top eight of the current standings.

Full Results

Joburg City 2-0 Seven’s Academy
Kathorus Hyper Academy 1-0 Mamelodi Sundowns
East Rand Athletic Club 1-1 Randburg AFC
TS Galaxy 1-2 Panorama FC
Remember Elite Sport Academy 3-2 Wits Junior
Jomo Cosmos 0-1 Highlands Park
Tuks 3-6 Kaizer Chiefs
Rockefvs FC 2-3 Elspark United Academy
School of Excellence 0-3 SuperSport United.

Well before the Gauteng Development League (GDL) went into recess over the winter holiday, Randburg AFC had made a lasting impression on the league.

Coach Skhosiphi Mgobozi’s side had left a mark on the division, painting a vivid picture of their intentions to compete for the league honours this season.

It didn’t matter who they came up against, Mgobozi’s side simply looked a class above most of their opposition. When the league went on hiatus, they were in second place.

When the GDL resumed, however, Mgobozi and his team hit a bump on the road, losing 0-3 to SuperSport United.

That loss would have undoubtedly led the players to ask some questions of themselves, wondering whether their impressive run before the recess was who they were, or was it a mirage?

However, with Mgobozi at the helm, Randburg AFC quickly righted their ship, thrashing Kaizer Chiefs 6-1 and Wits Junior 3-0 in their following matches to dive back into contention.

Those emphatic victories would have reminded the top dogs, like Mamelodi Sundowns and Highlands Park, that Randburg AFC means business this season. They proved it again in their most recent outing, drawing 1-1 with the log leaders, Sundowns.

Reflecting on that 0-3 loss to SuperSport United, Mgobozi lauded how his players have dealt with setbacks in an exclusive interview with SuperSport Schools Plus.

“We looked at what went wrong and, in the week, we actively got back our intensity. But what was more important was our mentality. This group has been terrific in terms of how they’ve dealt with setbacks throughout the season as a team,” Mgobozi said.

“You’ve got guys in their first year of university. The majority of them are in matric, and they’re juggling a lot of things. And one of the things that’s been good to see is that we’ve placed a lot of responsibility on them in terms of their personal life and how they manage it. If you need time to go study, you cannot just leave football; you need to find a way to manage it and take responsibility.

“I think we’re seeing that responsibility and those skills starting to come across. When you do deal with setbacks and now have to bounce back immediately, can you write an exam, come to training and be at Kaizer Chiefs on a Saturday, and still be a son, a brother and all those other things that make up your identity?

“So, I think they’ve ticked that box, and these are the standards we try to push, and I think that came across over this last period especially, where we’ve played Wits, Chiefs, and then Sundowns this past weekend.

It’s just a mentality and a responsibility in your own capacity, but also a responsibility that then transfers into the environment.”

Having slayed some of the giants of the South African game, Randburg AFC is now at a point where the team needs to guard against complacency. Time and again, when teams win consistently, complacency sets in and standards subside.

Mgobozi, however, said he has instilled a unique mentality in his players, the type of mentality that encourages them to respect every opposition, regardless of their position on the log or recent form.

This week, Randburg AFC faces off against 17th-placed East Rand Athletic Club.

“To avoid complacency, I think it’s about remaining respectful of the opposition,” Mgobozi said. “We’re going to their home territory and home turf, so it’s important that we first and foremost understand that they understand the field, they understand the terrain, the atmosphere. 

“So, we must go there with an element of respect. In order to prevent complacency, we’ve got to remember what we’re actually chasing, and for us to chase it, we’re going to have to be perfect.

“East Rand, irrespective of where they sit, the score at the moment is 0-0, and for us to continue on our journey, we have to go win that game.

“So, it’s just about those motivational hooks for players and for coaches. We’re going to need to arrive, irrespective of who’s in front of us. We must arrive and be the best versions of ourselves.”

Kathorus Hyper Academy silenced Panorama FC in their own backyard after Panorama coach Luyanda Gcabashe made a series of bold statements in the build-up to their Gauteng Development League fixture on the weekend.

Two weeks before the match, Gcabashe and his team had defied the odds, winning the Gauteng leg of the  Engen Knockout Challenge.

Still riding the wave of that magnificent triumph, Gcabashe sent out a warning to Kathorus Hyper Academy, saying he felt sorry for them that they would have to deal with Panorama’s attack..

However, Gcabashe was forced to swallow his words as Kathorus Hyper Academy travelled to Panorama FC and walked away with maximum points following a 1-0 victory.

It is important to provide some context for Gcabashe’s confidence, however. Panorama’s Engen Knockout success was not the only reason he was optimistic.

Their strong season has included wins over the likes of Kaizer Chiefs, School of Excellence and, ironically, even Kathorus Hyper Academy in an earlier round of Gauteng Development League.

Gcabashe had reason to feel confident, but, as the saying foes, “Football is a funny game”.

Meanwhile, in a top of the table clash, Mamelodi Sundowns and Randburg AFC shared a 1-1 draw, while Jomo Cosmos beat league newcomers Elspark United 2-0.

Chiefs and Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) drew 1-1, the University of Pretoria (Tuks) lost 0-1 to their neighbours SuperSport United, while Seven’s Academy went down 2-4 to TS Galaxy on Saturday and lost 1-2 to Rockefvs on Sunday.

Results

Mamelodi Sundowns 1-1 Randburg AFC
Elspark United 0-2 Jomo Cosmos
Kaizer Chiefs 1-1 Remember Elite Sport Academy
Panorama FC 0-1 Kathorus Hyper Academy
TUKS 0-1 SuperSport United
Seven’s Academy 2-4 TS galaxy
Seven’s Academy 1-2 Rockefvs

The St David’s Marist Inanda’s 1st XI shone brightly on their La Valla home ground on Sunday afternoon, winning the annual Nedbank Challenge Cup in front of their own supporters as the stars aligned perfectly for a rare fairytale ending.

After three days of sweat, strong teamwork, and dedication, Judah Morais, the St David’s captain, proudly led his team onto the podium to receive the winners’ prize.

With Morais’ leading the way, the likes of Zenathi Mthethwa and the rest of the St David’s players found the courage, tenacity and discipline to stomach the nerves of playing a home final, with Mthethwa successfully converting a penalty in the first half of the title game against St John’s College, which would prove to be the match-winner.

Up by one at the break, St David’s had to remain resolute in the second stanza and defend with everything that they had when St John’s pushed hard for an equaliser. The hosts, though, stood firm and the trophy was theirs.

King Edward VII (KES) claimed bronze after edging out Jeppe High School for Boys 1-0 in the third-place playoff.

While the action on the field kept the spectators entertained, the mighty Orlando Pirates sent their players to Inanda in a quest to inspire and upskill the young footballers who were at St David’s on Sunday afternoon.

The Pirates’ players and staff demonstrated some drills to the youngsters and shared words of inspiration with some who, maybe, will join the next generation of professional South African footballers.

Final Day Results

Final

St David’s Marist Inanda 1-0 St John’s College

Third place playoff

King Edward VII School 1-0 Jeppe High School for Boys

Semi-finals

St David’s Marist Inanda (6) 0-0 (5) King Edward VII School
St John’s College 1-0 Jeppe High School for Boys

The hosts progressed to the semi-finals of the St David’s Marist Inanda Nedbank Challenge Cup on Saturday after scoring a comfortable 3-0 win over Hilton College in the quarterfinals.

King Edward VII School (KES) followed suit, beating the 2023 champion, Brebner 2-1. The Bloemfontein school was succeeded as the champion by Grey College in 2024, but the title won’t be returning to the Free State this year.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools

In the other quarterfinal clashes, Jeppe beat St Benedict’s 2-1, while a passionate St John’s vs St Stithians tie ended at 1-1 after regulation time. St John’s advanced, though, after a penalty shootout

Jeppe takes on St John’s and St David’s tackles KES in the semifinals at 09:00 on Sunday.

Day three of the tournament is given over to classification games, with the four losing quarterfinalists set to meet to determine the fifth to eight place finishers. Brebner plays Hilton and St Stithians meets St Benedict’s. The teams that missed out on the quarterfinals will be contest ninth to 16th places.

The final round of matches, including the final and third place playoff, is scheduled for 13:50.

The under-15 competition is played as a festival, with the teams that finished in the same places in their pools then playing a round-robin format. But, being a festival, no winner is announced.

The first round of matches between teams that topped their pools saw Jeppe edge out St Peter’s 1-0, Grey College and Hilton drawing 1-1, St Alban’s holding on for a 1-0 win over St Stithians, St David’s handing KES a 1-0 defeat.

With the support of Nedbank very visible, the St David’s campus was bursting at the seams on Saturday, drawing a large crowd to take in the action. Around the fields, the support and singing echoed. It will surely rise to an even higher level on Sunday when the title game is played.

The 2025 Gauteng Development League (GDL) season has been the league’s most competitive season yet, with the established powers being pushed harder than ever before. Consequently, no clear title favourite has emerged.

This week, the Gauteng Engen Knockout Challenge winners, Panorama FC, host Kathorus Hyper Academy in a highly anticipated clash.

Panorama heads into the game off the back of a 0-2 defeat to Highlands Park at Balfour Park last week, while Kathorus Hyper Academy shared the points with Elspark United on Saturday.

In an exclusive interview with SuperSport Schools Plus, coach Luyanda Gcabashe said his side is seeking redemption and that means Kathorus Hyper Academy is going to face the best of Panorama FC.

“We are playing at home, and I feel sorry for Kathorus Hyper Academy because we’re going to go all out, and we are going to make a statement because we are coming off a loss.” he said. “This game, we’re going to come very, very strong.

“If you check our results, we are stronger in our home games. So, after the Engen Knockout Challenge, the first game, two weeks ago, we played Elspark United at home, and we won 4-0.

“Then, last week, we played away against Highlands Park. For that game, I tried to rotate the team, and we ended up losing for the first time in perhaps two to three months.”

Panorama’s victory in the Engen Knockout Challenge shattered the status quo and sent shockwaves through the football community. How could a team as small as Panorama win a competition that also featured big clubs, including Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Orlando Pirates?

Their Engen Knockout Challenge title-winning success was another vivid display of the evolution of academy football in the Gauteng region. The gap between the big guns and the rest has become blurred.

Gcabashe said the upskilling of the coaches at the smaller clubs has made a massive difference in levelling the playing field. Broadcasts on SuperSport Schools, too, has helped teams better prepare for their opponents, providing coaches with the data they need to scout the opposition.

In April, Gcabashe graduated with a CAF B licence and has since put the knowledge he accumulated to good work

“What I used to say, as coaches, education really helps, because if you check all the coaches in the GDL, most of us are now qualified. For instance, when I just graduated in April, I got my CAF B diploma licence. So, I’m a coach. I’m earning now. I’m qualified,” Gcabashe commented.

“So, after that, I’ve been improving as a coach. We are doing well. We are trying to close the gap between the amateur clubs and elite academies, the PSL teams. We are competitive this season.

“After what we did in the Engen Knockout Challenge, there are so many approaches. The big teams are after my players, which is a good sign for them.”

Reflecting on the build-up to the Engen Knockout Challenge, Gcabashe highlighted tactical flexibility, team building and unity as the ingredients that were the key to his side’s success.

His players’ confidence and motivation were massively boosted after their title win, he added. “Right now, the players are very motivated,” he said. “The unity in the team is incredible.

“We had two team buildings before the Engen Knockout Challenge, to revive the team, to make sure there’s unity. That’s how I won the Engen Knockout Challenge, because I did not have even a single star in my team,” he explained.

“However, what we had was unity in the team. We had the right characters, the desire, the willingness to fight for each other. That’s what I was instilling in my team. We had to drill in tactical discipline, as well, and now they understand.

“As a result, we now have a good team structure. The players know when, where, and how to behave in different situations.

“When we lose the ball, we defend as a team. When we attack, we attack as a team. So, that was my strength in that tournament.

“Also, what I did was to always have tactical flexibility because we approached each game according to the opposition’s strength and weakness. So, when we played any team – Orlando Pirates, for example – we knew exactly what tactical adjustments we needed to make. We knew we had to go with the high press.

“When we played another team – maybe SuperSport United – we had to close the corridors centrally and press from the centre because we knew they wanted to combine and play a long target. That’s how our flexibility came into play.”

The 2025 Engen Knockout Challenge Gauteng leg kicked off at Wits Marks Park Sports Ground on Friday, with top u18 boys’ and u20 girls’ teams plotting a path towards provincial glory and a place in the Engen Champ of Champs.

In the boys’ u18 division, coach Thato Mosala‘s Joburg City enjoyed an impressive opening day, finishing it unbeaten after pulling off the biggest upset thus far, a 1-0 victory over coach David Mathebula‘s Kaizer Chiefs.

SuperSport United, under the guidance of coach Tumelo Ndaba, has endured a horrid month in the Gauteng Development League, but they put together a successful opening day, scoring 1-0 victories over Orlando Pirates and Florida Albion FC to top Group B.

In the Ladies’ division, Diepkloof Ladies were handed a 1-3 defeat by Panorama Ladies, but they bounced back with a 10-0 thrashing of Thembalethu Ladies.

The defending champion, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, made a clean start to their title defence, beating Blue Birds Ladies 1-0 before handing the University of Pretoria a 4-1 defeat.

Among those in attendance was French-based Bafana Bafana midfielder and Engen Knockout Challenge graduate Lebogang Phiri, who spent the day engaging with players, watching matches, and reflecting on the impact of the tournament.

“This is not just another youth tournament, I don’t think people always realise the gravity of it,” said Phiri.

“Tournaments like the Engen Knockout Challenge are where you get the next top talents and future big-name players. It’s where players learn to handle pressure, build big-match temperament, and get exposed to the type of support and attention that prepares them for the next level.

“If a young player approaches this platform with the right mindset, it can change their career.

“The pressure is high, and the expectations are real, and because of that, players learn respect, discipline, and great sportsmanship. These are qualities you don’t always get from just training or league matches. This kind of environment shapes you in every way as a footballer.”

As a former participant in the Engen Knockout Challenge before he turned professional, Phiri’s presence at the tournament reinforced the 2025 theme “It’s Your Moment, Future Diski Legends”, which encourages current players to seize the opportunity in front of them.

With a strong turnout of supporters, tightly contested matches, and growing excitement on the ground, the opening day set the tone for a thrilling weekend ahead.

The Gauteng leg continues through to Sunday, when the provincial champions will be crowned and earn themselves the honour of representing the province at the prestigious Engen Champ of Champs in October.

RESULTS AND STANDINGS

BOYS

Group A Standings

1. Joburg City
2. Kaizer Chiefs
3. TS Galaxy
4. Augusto Palacious Apprentice Academy

TS Galaxy 0-2 Kaizer Chiefs
Augusto Palacious Apprentice Academy 0-0 Joburg City
TS Galaxy 1-0 Augusto Palacious Apprentice Academy
Joburg City 1-0 Kaizer Chiefs

Group B Standings
1. SuperSport United
2. Panorama FC
3. Orlando Pirates
4. Florida Albion FC

Orlando Pirates 0-1 SuperSport United
Florida Albion FC 0-1 Panorama FC
SuperSport United 1-0 Florida Albion FC
Panorama FC 1-1 Orlando Pirates FC

Group C Standings 

1. Mamelodi Sundowns
2. Randburg AFC
3. Kathorus Hyper Academy
4. SAFA/Transnet School of Excellence

SAFA/Transnet School of Excellence 1-2 Kathorus Hyper Academy
Randburg AFC 0-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
SAFA/Transnet School of Excellence 0-2 Randburg AFC
Kathorus Hyper Academy 0-1 Mamelodi Sundowns

Group D Standings 

1. Highlands Park
2. Wits University
3. Remember Elite Sport Academy
4. Tuks

Tuks 0-0 Remember Elite Sport Academy
Wits University 1-1 Highlands Park

LADIES

Group A Standings

1. SAFA Academy
2. FC Raycon
3. Randburg AFC
4. Joburg United Eagles

SAFA Academy 8-0 Joburg United Eagles
Randburg AFC 2-0 FC Raycon
SAFA Academy 5-0 Randburg AFC
Joburg United Eagles 0-3 FC Raycon

Group B Standings 

1. JVW
2. Wits University
3. Mito Stars Ladies
4. Kempton Park Ladies

Mito Stars Ladies 1-2 Wits University
Kempton Park Ladies 0-3 JVW
Mito Stars Ladies 1-1 Kempton Park Ladies

Group C Standings 

1. University of Johannesburg
2. Mamelodi Sundowns
3. Blue Birds Ladies
4. University of Pretoria

University of Johannesburg 4-0 University of Pretoria
Blue Birds Ladies 0-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
University of Pretoria 1-4 Mamelodi Sundowns
Blue Birds Ladies 0-3 University of Johannesburg

Group D Standings 

1. Future Stars Ladies
2. Diepkloof Ladies
3. Panorama FC
4. Thembalethu Ladies

Diepkloof Ladies 1-3 Panorama FC
Future Stars Ladies 7-0 Thembalethu Ladies
Thembalethu Ladies 0-10 Diepkloof Ladies
Panorama FC 0-1 Future Stars Ladies

Wits Sturrock Park, in Johannesburg, hosted the draw for the Gauteng leg of the 2025 Engen Knockout Challenge on Tuesday.

from 18-20 July, Gauteng’s top u18 male and u20 female teams will compete for the provincial title and a place in the Engen Champ of Champs, which takes place from 3-5 October at the High-Performance Centre, in Pretoria.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools

Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns return as defending champions in the men’s and women’s categories respectively and will face stiff challenges as they eye successful defences of their titles.

At the draw, Engen Brand and Sponsorship Manager Tsholo Tiro emphasised the importance of the tournament for youth development in the province and the country at large.

“The Engen Knockout Challenge continues to be a platform that allows us to make a real difference in the lives of young people,” Tiro said. “Our goal is to support development both on and off the field by giving young players, coaches, referees, and administrators the chance to grow.

“This year’s theme, ‘It’s Your Moment, Future Diski Legends’, is a call to young people to believe in themselves and to capitalise on the opportunity that the tournament provides.

“We’ve seen many alumni of the tournament go on to become legends of the game, and so this year we encourage the aspiring football stars to write their own stories in the rich tapestry of the Engen Knockout Challenge.

“Beyond the playing field, we’re also proud to provide a platform for our inaugural 2024 Sportscaster, Princess Mobeng, to continue to learn and grow in sports journalism.

“Our strategic partnership with Qrate continues from strength to strength, helping educate and empower young women beyond the football field.”

FIFA Talent Coach and tournament ambassador Thabo Senong praised the tournament’s high standard of football, saying: “This year’s tournament has shown just how much talent there is in South African youth football. The level has been high across all provinces.

“What I appreciate most is the theme ‘It’s Your Moment, Future Diski Legends’. It’s not just a message. It’s something the players are really taking to heart. You can see it in how they play with purpose and belief.”

The Gauteng playoffs will be hosted at the Wits Marks Park Sports Ground. 

Engen Knockout Challenge Gauteng Draw Outcome

Girls’ Draw

Group A: Randburg FC, SAFA Academy, FC Raycon, Joburg United Ladies.
Group B: Mito Stars Ladies, Kempton Park Ladies, Wits University, JVW.
Group C: University of Johannesburg, Blue Birds Ladies, Mamelodi Sundowns, University of Pretoria.
Group D: Diepkloof Ladies, Future Stars, Thembalethu FC, Panorama Ladies.

Boys’ Draw

Group A: Appa, TS Galaxy, Kaizer Chiefs, Joburg City.
Group B: Florida Albion, Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United, Panorama FC.
Group C: Mamelodi Sundowns, SAFA Transnet School of Excellence, Randburg AFC, Kathorus Hyper Academy.
Group D: Wits University, Highlands Park, University of Pretoria, Remember Elite Sport Academy.

Cape Town football fans were treated to a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 Engen Knockout Challenge, at Erica Park, on Sunday.

Cape Town Roses cemented their dominance in the girls’ division, capturing a historic fourth consecutive title, while Cape Town City triumphed in the boys’ division, claiming the crown after falling just short in last year’s final.

The Western Cape’s top u18 boys’ and u20 girls’ football teams competed over three days of intense action, which showcased the depth of talent in the region.

In the girls’ division, Cape Town Roses continued their reign with a commanding 2-0 win over RV United in the final, further solidifying their legacy as the team to beat in the province.

In the boys’ division, Cape Town City finally seized their moment, defeating Eagles Performance Academy 3-1 in a high-tempo title game, fuelled by their hunger to finish what they just missed out on a year ago.

The tournament once again echoed the 2025 theme, “It’s Your Moment, Future Diski Legends,” capturing the energy and ambition of South Africa’s rising stars.

Cape Town Roses and Cape Town City will now fly the province’s flag when they go in search of the national title at the Engen Champ of Champs in October.

Engen Knockout Individual Awards

Girls
Goalkeeper of the tournament – Bilqees Salie – Salt River Blackpool
Defender of the tournament – Anathi Nqothani – Dangerous Heroes
Midfielder of the tournament – Zoe De Kock – RV United
Top Goalscorer – Lisakhaya Situlueni – Cape Town Roses
Striker of the tournament – Lisakhaya Situlueni – Cape Town Roses
Coach of the tournament – Xolile Madikane – Cape Town Roses
Player of the tournament – Lisakhaya Situluen – Cape Town Roses
Fair play team of the tournament – Dangerous Heroes

Boys
Goalkeeper of the tournament – Vaughen Sabatian – Valhalla United
Defender of the tournament – Abulele Dlekedla – Cape Town City
Midfielder of the tournament – Joshua Taylor – Cape Town City
Top Goalscorer Jack Kiewiet – Eagles Performance Academy
Striker of the tournament – Raqul Daniels – Valhalla United
Coach of the tournament – Shamieg McLaurie – Eagles Performance Academy
Player of the tournament – Joshua Taylor – Cape Town City
Fairplay team of the tournament – SAFA Cape Town Academy
Referee of the tournament – Ms Cleo Ben

Day two of the 2025 Engen Knockout Challenge Cape Town leg, at Erica Sports Grounds, delivered thrilling quarterfinals, with Cape Town Roses continuing their defence of the women’s u20 title, while Valhalla United ended Stellenbosch FC’s long-standing dominance in the boys’ u18 division.

Cape Town Roses cruised into the semi-finals after a commanding 5–1 win over RV United.

The defending champions topped their group, and they carried that momentum into the quarterfinals with another structured and confident performance.

In the boys’ division, Valhalla United edged out Stellenbosch FC 1–0 in a tightly contested clash.

The result was significant, not only did it eliminate the two-time champions, but it also marked the first time that Stellenbosch FC had conceded a goal in the Engen Knockout Challenge in three years.

Valhalla’s rise also underscored the vital role that platforms like the Engen Knockout Challenge play in identifying and developing emerging football talent.

Valhalla had secured second place in their group with a 2–0 win over City Town, which set up their quarterfinal clash with Stellenbosch. Their journey to the semi-finals provided further proof of the depth and competitiveness coming through Cape Town’s grassroots system.

While Stellenbosch FC bowed out of the competition, their defensive record and consistency across multiple editions of the Engen Knockout Challenge have set a high bar. They’ll, no doubt, be back among the title contenders in 2026.

Women’s quarterfinal results

Cape Town Roses 5-1 Rygate Ladies
Salt River Blackpool 1-0 Ubuntu Football
RV United 3-1 CPUT Ladies
Dangerous Heroes 3-0 Magic Ladies

Boys’ quarterfinal results

Cape Town City 2-1 Norway Parks
SAFA Cape Town Academy 1-0 Cape Town Spurs
Valhalla United 1-0 Stellenbosch
Eagles Performance United 1-0 Everton