Author: ongcwabe

Kaizer Chiefs claimed the Engen Knockout Challenge title on Sunday after an intense battle in the final against the defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, which concluded the three-day tournament at the Marks Park Sports Club in Johannesburg.

The newly crowned champions were clinical throughout their title chase and capped off their stellar performances with a surgically efficient 2-0 win over the former champions, who were good but unable to match the Amakhosi‘s sharp finishing.

While the loss was a huge disappointment for the Brazilians, they will draw solace from the fact that Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies were crowned the champions of the women’s division.

After winning consecutive Engen Knockout Challenge gold medals, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) fell to Sundowns Ladies in the final.

Regulation time, a tactical battle, finished in a 0-0 stalemate, but Sundowns showed excellent composure in the penalty shootout, which garnered them a 4-3 victory and denied UJ a hattrick of titles.

The crowning of the Gauteng champions also marked the conclusion of the provincial phase of the competition. The winners will now prepare to compete at the highly anticipated Engen Champ of Champs where the winners from the nine provinces will tackle each other head-on for the ultimate prize of being crowned the champions of the 2024 season.

As it has in years past, the Gauteng leg of the Engen Knockout Challenge saw top football coaches and players coming out to enjoy the talent on display, with coaches such as Pitso Mosimane (Abha FC, Saudi Arabia, and former Bafana Bafana coach) and Desiree Ellis (Banyana Banyana) spending their afternoon at the tournament.

Other notable attendees include players’ Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana), Shandre Campbell (SuperSport United), Siyabonga Mabena (Mamelodi Sundowns) and Sphelele Mkhulise (Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana).

Engen Knockout Challenge Individual Winners

Girls u20

Goalkeeper of the Tournament – Casey Gordon (JVW)
Defender of the Tournament – Shannon Macomo (UJ)
Midfielder of the Tournament – Jabulile Mbatha (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Striker of the Tournament – Gugu Dlamini (UJ)
Top Goal Scorer of the Tournament – Gugu Mabitsela (JVW)
Referee of the Tournament – Sibusisiwe Mdluli
Coach of the Tournament – Andisiwe Mgcoyi (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Fair Play Team of the Tournament – Mito Stars Ladies
Player of the Tournament – Jabulile Mbatha (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Boys’ u18

Goalkeeper of the Tournament – Colby Sinclair (Randburg AFC)
Defender of the Tournament – Gopolang Taunyana (Kaizer Chiefs)
Midfielder of the Tournament – Gomolemo Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Striker of the Tournament – Ofentse Kgosana (Kaizer Chiefs)
Top Goal Scorer of the Tournament – Lucky Muthewi  (SS United)
Coach of the Tournament – David Mathebula (Kaizer Chiefs)
Fair Play Team of the Tournament – Kathorus Hyper Academy
Player of the Tournament – Ofentse Kgosana (Kaizer Chiefs)

It is all systems go for this weekend’s Engen Knockout Challenge Gauteng leg, as 32 teams equally split between U-18 Boys and U-20 Girls prepare to do battle in the 2024 edition of South Africa’s largest youth football tournament.

The country’s most prestigious youth football tournament makes its way to the city of gold this weekend, where reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns and UJ Ladies aim to defend their provincial title, ahead of September’s Engen Champ of Champs finals.

The draw of the Gauteng leg was officially conducted on Wednesday, 03 July where all 32 teams were drawn into their respective groups by tournament ambassadors, Thabo Senong as well as Akhona Makalima who have been travelling with Engen throughout the country over the last few weeks.

Engen External Communications Manager, Gavin Smith along with SAFA Johannesburg President, Phil Mogodi were also amongst some of the key stakeholders in attendance at the draw conducted at the Wits Sports Headquarters in Johannesburg.

As expected, the draw produced some appetising encounters, which saw reigning champions, Mamelodi Sundowns headlining what has been dubbed as the group of death in the boys section.  They will be up against host club, Wits FC, TS Galaxy as well as the exciting Meadowlands Academy.

Former champions, Kaizer Chiefs will be looking at reclaiming their 2023 title but must first come out of a difficult group consisting of Jomo Cosmos, Randburg AFC as well as Transition Football FC.

In the Girls division, defending champions, UJ Ladies face fellow league opponents Springs Home Sweepers along with tournament hosts Wits and Panorama FC.

Another interesting group in the girls’ division sees JVW headlining a Group B pool consisting of Springs United Ladies, Future Stars as well as Emmarentia Pirates.

The tournament officially gets underway on Friday, 05 July and concludes on Sunday afternoon where the winners will be eligible to compete at the Engen Champion of Champions set to take place in September.

The Eastern Cape has new champions of the Engen Knockout Challenge, after eBhayi FC and Nav Galaxy FC were crowned the boys’ and girls’ winners respectively on Sunday at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in Gqeberha.

The talent-rich Eastern Cape sides lived up to the high expectations, with all 24 participating teams producing quality football over the course of the two days.

The crowning of eBhayi FC and Nav Galaxy FC as the champions means the province will be represented by new teams at the Engen Champ of Champs, which brings together the winning teams from the different regions, with eBhayi dethroning Chippa United in the boys’ section, and Nav Galaxy taking the girls’ crown from City Lads FC.

eBhayi FC were clinical on their way to the final. They topped their group after opening with a 3-1 win over Sophia Young Stars, which they followed up with a 4-1 drubbing of Maria Louw High.

In the quarterfinals, eBhayi cruised to a 3-0 victory over Ndakeni Young Stars before they edged out United Brothers in the semi-finals, winning a closely contested game 2-1.

They, then, wrapped up the title in style, claiming a 2-0 victory over the defending champions, Chippa United, to be crowned the new champions of the Eastern Cape.

Nav Galaxy endured a tough start to their campaign. They had to dig deep to record a 1-0 win over Golden Stars in their opening match. The second time out, they were more emphatic, winning 2-0 against Phoenix Birds Ladies FC.

Then, against Bay Stars Ladies, Galaxy showed that they had picked up momentum, comfortably dispatching their opponents 3-0. In the semi-finals, they romped to a 5-0 win over Kilimanjaro Stars.

It was much tighter in the title-decider, with the game against the 2023 champions, City Lads FC, ending in a goalless draw, which sent the contest to a penalty shootout. Nav Galaxy’s penalty takers held their nerve, though, to score a 4-3 win from the spot for their team.

Next weekend, the Engen Knockout Challenge continues, with Durban set to host the KwaZulu-Natal leg of the competition on 29 and 30 June.  

For a full list of results from the Eastern Cape – CLICK HERE

Engen Knockout Challenge EC Individual Awards

GIRLS’ DIVISION 

AWARD	PLAYER	TEAM
Referee of the tournament	Christiano Leroux	–
GK of the tournament	Unako Koyana	Nav Galaxy Ladies
Defender of the tournament	Lucretia Smith	Golden Stars
Midfielder of the tournament	Avuya Mpensheni	Nav Galaxy Ladies
Striker of the tournament	Aphelele January	Kilimanjaro Stars
Top Goalscorer	Endinako Gqboka	Ayakha Stars
Coach of the tournament	Asevela Nyeleka	Nav Galaxy Ladies
Fair Play Team of the tournament	–	Baystar Ladies
Player of the tournament	Avuya Mpensheni	Nav Galaxy Ladies

BOYS’ DIVISION

AWARD	PLAYER	TEAM
Goalkeeper of the tournament	Ayanda Tembani	Sophia Young Stars
Defender of the tournament	Cole Frost	eBhayi FC
Midfielder of the tournament	Olwethu Songelwa	Sophia Young Stars
Striker of the tournament	Liyahluma Mawaba	Sophia Young Stars
Top Goalscorer	Lee Rogan Dekock	eBhayi FC
Coach of the tournament	Caleb Van Roogen	eBhayi FC
Fair Play Team of the tournament	–	Nyathi FC
Player of the tournament	Lee Rogan Dekock	eBhayi FC

After three days of gruelling football and 86 matches, only nine out of the 117 teams that participated in the Gauteng leg of the qualifier tournament made it through to the Engen Knockout Competition, which is scheduled to take place next month.

Heading into the event, there was significant pressure on a number of Gauteng Development League (GDL) teams, among them Panorama FC, Highlands Park, Sevens Academy, NWU Vaal, Kathorus Hyper Academy, School of Excellence and Rosina Sedibane.

The qualifiers also featured teams that compete in the lower leagues of the Gauteng region, with many eager to embrace the opportunity of pulling off an upset.

The challenge was tough, but three of those sides got it right, with Meadowlands Academy topping Group F, Stars of Africa finishing atop Group D, and Transition Football taking first place in Group H.

All three, thus, progressed to the knockout stage of the tournament and their success meant that GDL clubs, School of Excellence and NWU Vaal, missed out.

A number of teams stood out as head and shoulders above their competition.

Panorama FC enjoyed a strong showing, beating a determined University of Johannesburg team 3-0, which was followed by a 0-0 draw against Hammanskraal Sports Academy, a 4-1 win over Remember Elite Sports Academy, and a 2-1 victory over West Youth Academy.

That run of success secured Panorama FC’s qualification for the Engen Knockout Tournament for a third year in succession. Much of that success can be attributed to their coach Boy Gcabashe.

Before his tenure with the u18 boys began, Panorama had never made it through to the Engen Knockout Competition, which puts Gcabashe’s impact at the academy into context. It has been impressive.

Randburg AFC was also in good form throughout the long weekend. They went unbeaten in Group B, with a 3-0 victory over White City Spurs on the opening day, followed by a 4-1 defeat of Opopo FC, a 1-0 win over fellow GDL side, Sevens Academy, and a 2-1 triumph against West Youth Academy, which kept intact their 100 percent win record.

The “Lions of the North“, Highlands Park, also breezed past their Group C opponents. They were pushed hard by the Dlamini XI Experience in their opener, which they won 4-3. Next, they thrashed The Best Football Academy 6-0, but were then held to a goalless draw by GDL club, Joburg City. They finished with a 2-0 defeat of Capital City to secure a place in the main tournament.

There was further success for GDL teams, with Rosina Sedibane topping Group E, Kathorus Hyper Academy winning Group G, and Jomo Cosmos taking the honours in Group I.

Two of the league’s most improved teams, Kaizer Chiefs and TS Galaxy, are set to meet at Naturena Village on Sunday in the 17th round of fixtures in the 2024 Gauteng Development League (GDL).

Coach David Mathebula‘s Chiefs’ under-19 side has lost only one league match this season, and they currently occupy second position in the standings. They finished the 2023 GDL season in third place.

Mathebula has been hard at work with his charges and that hard work is paying dividends as the likes of Mpho Khethang have taken the division by storm, dominating opposition defenders.

Mathebula’s team has been consistent and has produced highly attractive possession-based football.

They’ve also maintained their intensity, tempo and hunger throughout the first half of the season, which was something that did not happen in 2023.

TS Galaxy, meanwhile, have earned themselves the moniker of the league’s “Giant Slayers”. 

They currently sit fifth on the log, with seven victories, four draws, and five losses in 16 matches thus far. That position is two better than where they finished the 2023 season.

Last season, Galaxy was unbeaten against Chiefs. They were, in fact, the only team to achieve that feat.

Head-to-Head
Chiefs 1-2 Galaxy 28 October 2023
Chiefs 1-2 Galaxy 10 June 2023
Chiefs 3-1 Galaxy 17 September 2022

Will Galaxy keep the ‘Giant Slayers’ tag, or will Chiefs flip the script on Sunday?

Due to the Engen Knockout Qualifiers this weekend in the Gauteng region, Chiefs and Galaxy will be the last GDL teams to do battle ahead of the school break.

The league will resume on 13 July as players, coaches, and officials, take a well-deserved break after a gruelling first half of the season.

Over the years, the Gauteng Development League (GDL) has proven itself to be an adapt, or get left behind, type of league, with teams and players growing and improving at an exponential rate.

The intensity of league fixtures is at an all-time high as fast-paced football continues to thrive in the league, just as it does in Europe and the world at large.

With this in mind, Wits Junior Football Club is behind the eight-ball, and they’ve been finding it hard to keep up with their opposition for a number of years.

Right at the start of the new season, Wits Junior did not look the part as they were handed a 0-1 loss by league newbies East Rand Athletic Club, in a fixture that they were supposed to win.

They finished bottom of the standings last season, with only six victories in 34 league fixtures, but a better start was expected against newly promoted opponents.

However, the Randburg-based team has not displayed improvement, and, after 15 matches, they have only once won.

On Saturday, Wits put up a decent fight, but they were again on the wrong end of the result, going 0-1 down against the log leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns, at Clapham High School.

A second-half goal by Bennet Mokoena, courtesy of a neat assist from Thato Sibiya, saw ‘Downs record a 14th league victory while handing Wits their 10th loss of the season.

Contrary to the state of proceedings at Wits Junior, Highlands Park has turned things around remarkably at Balfour Park after a slow start to their season.

“The Lions of the North” began their campaign seemingly burdened with the tag of “defending champions” after they set an extremely high bar in 2023.

They started the season with a 0-0 draw against Tuks, had a match stopped by lightning, when they trailed SuperSport United 0-3, and then had a fixture against Remember Elite Sports Academy (RESA) abandoned due to a waterlogged field.

That stuttering start, which left them short of game time and momentum, had Highlands Park on the back foot as the other top teams racked up points. Some thought the defending champions might have thrown in the towel despite it being early in the season.

Three months later, Highlands Park is flying high, in third place on the log, having recorded 10 victories in 14 matches to propel themselves into the top three, level on points with second-placed Kaizer Chiefs, with 33 to their credit. On Saturday, they claimed a 1-0 win over Khathorus Hyper Academy.

East Rand Athletic Club drew 0-0 against Jomo Cosmos, while Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School lost 0-2 to School of Excellence.

SuperSport United, RESA and TS Galaxy won 2-0 against Randburg AFC, Sevens Academy and Panorama FC respectively.

Tuks beat league newcomers NWU Vaal Academy 2-1, while Chiefs recorded a mammoth 9-0 victory at home against Joburg City.

Two of the most impactful football schools in South Africa, Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School and the School of Excellence, are set to meet in Tshwane this weekend.

Who can forget the impact Mama Rosina Sedibane Modiba had on South African sports in general, let alone track and field, a sport in which she excelled in the late ’70s?

Modiba, born in Atteridgeville, in apartheid South Africa, dared to dream when all the odds were stacked against her. At her peak she defied those odds and won the 1 500m during the multi-racial provincial championships at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria in March 1977, beating the then-record-holder Sonja Laxton.

Modiba was a pioneer, a trailblazer for the likes of Caster Semenya, another global track and field legend born and bred in South Africa.

As a result, the former Laudium Technical College in Gauteng was officially renamed the Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School of Focused Learning to commemorate her achievements.

This stubbornness, courage and never-say-die spirit is on display week in and out in the Gauteng Development League (GDL) when Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School takes to the field in each of the four divisions.

They’re currently eighth in the under-19 standings, with five victories and as many losses in 14 fixtures. They’re also desperate to maintain their position on the log, especially after losing 0-3 last week to their neighbours, SuperSport United.

In the past two seasons, Rosina Sedibane has hovered around the top 10 in the division and will present the School of Excellence with a stiff challenge when they go at it on the weekend.

The School of Excellence has an equally rich history of its own.

Academies and schools are judged on the number of players they produce that go on to earn international caps. In South African football, no other school or academy comes close to the School of Excellence on that metric.

Daine Klate, South Africa’s most decorated DStv Premiership footballer, with six league titles, including three in a row, is a proud old boy. Steven Pienaar, Bernard Parker, Bryce Moon and Masilo Modubi, to name a few, all hail from the School of Excellence.

However, all is not roses at the school at present, with many saying their glory days are well and truly in the past. This follows Transnet’s exit as the longstanding sponsor of the school. Recent reports say that the school owes Eskom over R1-million.

The issues in the boardroom have filtered down to the quality of the product on the pitch as the School of Excellence has moved from being regulars in the top four of the standings in the past two seasons to occupying seventh place after 14 rounds of the 2024 campaign.

However, the school appears to be clawing its way back to form following a 3-3 draw against Sevens Academy last week, in a match in which their goalkeeper scored a stunning freekick to remind the country they still have a superb eye for talent.

WATCH: School of Excellence Goalkeeper Scores Stunning Freekick

Saturday Fixtures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Fixtures

League contenders Kaizer Chiefs, in second, and TS Galaxy, in fifth, dropped points over the weekend, which allowed Mamelodi Sundowns to widen the gap at the top of the standings in the under-19 division of the Gauteng Development League (GDL).

Chiefs hosted league newbies East Rand Athletic Club at Naturena on Saturday. They needed a victory to close the gap on ‘Downs, a team that remains unbeaten in the division.

Instead, the Soweto giants had to settle for a 1-1 draw, losing two vital points in their challenge for league honours.

At George Lea Park, TS Galaxy hosted Remember Elite Sports Academy (RESA) in a highly anticipated matchup. The contest might have ended in a 2-2 draw, but it certainly did not disappoint as the players from both outfits put their bodies on the line during the clash.

Sometimes, they put too much into it, which led to the referee sending off Thembinkosi Mlangeni in the second half following a bad tackle. He also showed yellow cards to Tumelo Miya, Thapelo Bukhali and Hlafelo Nkosi.

Completing the top five in the standings are the “Lions of the North“, Highlands Park, who lie third, while SuperSport United occupies fourth place.

Highlands Park welcomed coach Tebello Kheswa‘s NWU Vaal FC to Balfour Park and emerged victorious, claiming a 1-0 win, to continue a sparkling turnaround after a slow start to the season for the defending champions.

SuperSport United, meanwhile, had a doubleheader on the weekend, taking on Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School (RSMSS) on Saturday and Jomo Cosmos on Sunday.

Goals from Tumelo Machete, Tshepo Mahlatsi and the reliable Manelisi Mazibuko saw SuperSport beat Rosina 3-0 before sharing a draw with Cosmos on Sunday.

While three of the other top five teams dropped points, coach Surprise Moriri’s ‘Downs continued on their clinical way. Despite playing at Joburg City, they struck three times in the first half.

Chuene Moabelo successfully converted from the penalty spot while further goals from Matlhogonolo and Ntokozo Siquba saw the Brazilians finish the first half 3-1 in front.

An assist from Molemo Seemela in the second half was met with precision by Bennet Mokoena to see ‘Downs record a 4-2 victory, their 13th of an unbeaten season.

In other games, Sevens Academy drew 2-2 against the struggling School of Excellence on Sunday.

Tuks lost 0-1 at home to Randburg AFC, while Panorama FC sank Wits Junior to the bottom of the log with a 3-1 defeat.

Kathorus Hyper Academy beat Jomo Cosmos 2-0 to conclude the 14th round of league action.

South African football has an emerging power in TS Galaxy, a club that has been on the rise for a number of years.

Across the board, throughout their teams, the club has been on an upward trajectory. From the academy, up to the professional teams, the Mpumalanga outfit is a regular contender in league and cup competitions.

In the DStv Premiership, TS Galaxy heads into the last round of fixtures sitting fourth on the log, trailing only the runaway leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns, Stellenbosch FC and Orlando Pirates. They could find themselves competing in the CAF Confederation Cup next season.

Their u19 team, too, is in the top five of the highly competitive Gauteng Development League (GDL).

Under the tutelage of coach Esau Mtsweni, Galaxy’s u19s have thrived. When Mtsweni took over the role of head coach last season, he helped propel the team from 14th place up to sixth by the end of their campaign.

SuperSport Schools Plus caught up with Mtsweni seeking to find out more about Galaxy’s successes.

One of the keys that Mtsweni emphasised was the club’s obsession with developing their own style of football. TS Galaxy sides now have an identity that is vividly displayed on the pitch, and it revolves around playing high speed football.

Moreover, Mtsweni said the club is focussed on finding disciplined players and coaches more than it is focussed on talent or the potential of an individual.

“From the players’ perspective, we need disciplined players, players that are committed. The same applies with coaches. We need coaches who are disciplined, committed, and easy to talk to,” Mtsweni said, in an exclusive interview.

“From the playing side, we are a team that likes to play from the back. It’s a must. Whether you lose or you win, you must play from the back. You must have a constructive way of doing things.

“For me, I want my players to play the same. Whether there are five minutes left on the clock or the game has just started, I want the same style and intensity.

“If you check with our first team, as well, they play from the back and are comfortable. For that, you need comfortable players, and if you don’t have those types of players then you need to build it in them to be comfortable on the ball.

“Each and every player must understand his role and have clarity to say this is my job as a fullback, a midfielder or a forward. It takes time, but this is how I need to do things with my players, because they will go up to the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) and the first team.

“I have a good relationship with the senior team coach, Sead Ramović, because I work with, and I understand, how he does things.

“Most importantly, we work hard and, if you listen to our first team coach talking, you will see that he emphasises that he wants hardworking players. When we don’t have the ball, we press high, and we work hard for the ball.

“We want players that have energy because our team relies on speed. Actually, modern football relies on speed, and we want speed for counterattacks etc. That’s our way of playing football. It’s high all the way, and it doesn’t matter if we lose, as long as we stayed consistent with our style.

“It’s only been three months, but we’ve done really well,” he added.

The rivalry between Galaxy head coach Ramović and Mamelodi Sundowns’ Rulani Mokoena makes for a fascinating matchup whenever the teams meet in the DStv Premiership.

No such rivalry exists between Mtsweni and Downs’ u19 coach Surprise Moriri but, when the teams meet, they always put on a show on the pitch.

Mtsweni says it is no coincidence that TS Galaxy’s games against ‘Downs always entertain as Galaxy targets the Pretoria-based side.

“The target is Sundowns, to say we must match them. I want players who are going to be able to compete against Sundowns because they are the best team,” Mtsweni explained.

“Guys let’s be honest, Sundowns is the best team in the country. Even their u19 team hasn’t been beaten this season. I don’t want to come up with excuses and say they have money, so they can buy the players they want. I don’t believe in that.” Coaches, Mtsweni said, have a huge role to play in developing talent.

“Coach Surprise is doing a great job there. I want my players to match Sundowns, so that, when we promote our players, they don’t get surprised when playing against the best teams.”

On Saturday, Mtsweni’s team welcomes Remember Elite Sports Academy (RESA) to George Lea Park for the 14th round of GDL fixtures.

Mtsweni says his team’s approach will be consistent. It’s about playing at high speed.

“From our side, we don’t change anything. Our football methods are the same and our principles stay the same,” he said.

“I try not to change things because of how the other teams play. I will treat RESA like Sundowns. Every game is the same with us,” he concluded.