Mamelodi Sundowns and UJ Ladies crowned Engen GP champions
UJ Ladies successfully defended their Engen Knockout Challenge title twice in a row, making it the first-ever team to win it thrice in a row while 2022's losing finalists Mamelodi Sundowns was crowned champions of the boys division.
The Engen Knockout Challenge champions of Gauteng were officially crowned on July 9 at the Wits Marks Park Sports Ground.
This after defending champions, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Ladies successfully defended their title in the ladies’ division, while Mamelodi Sundowns prevailed in the boys’ division.
After three days of exciting youth football action, the tournament drew to a close in spectacular fashion as both sides celebrated their victories that also secured them places at the Engen Champ of Champs later this year.
The UJ Ladies team, which has lifted the title for the third time in succession, had to sweat for their victory against JVW Ladies with a hard-fought 1–0 victory that saw the varsity side defend their crown.
The defending champions were also in great form in the semi-finals when they easily brushed aside their rivals, Tuks Ladies, as the University of Pretoria Ladies are fondly known, 5-0 en route to the finals.
The tournament was officially concluded with a highly entertaining final between TS Galaxy – who had a fantastic run in the tournament – and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Both sides had equal chances of sealing the victory during the match but some quality defending and goalkeeping from either side resulted in the title being decided on penalties, which went Sundowns’ way 5–4.
The Masandawana side earlier met with Orlando Pirates in the semi-finals where both sides played some exciting football, but better finishing from Sundowns saw them advance to the final with a 1–0 victory.
Engen also rewarded exceptional individual performances in the tournament in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions.
Engen Knockout Challenge Individual Awards | Girls Division:
- Player of the tournament went to Victorie Maumouna of UJ Ladies
- Goalkeeper of the tournament went to Casey Gordon of JVW Ladies
- Top Goalscorer of the tournament was shared between Wits Ladies’ Rhulani Nzimande and UJ Ladies’ Victorie Maumouna
- Coach of the tournament went to Sibongile Sithole of UJ Ladies
- Midfielder of the tournament went to Lindelwa Mabuza of Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies
- Defender of the tournament went to Taylor-Anne Berkovic of JVW Ladies
- Striker of the tournament went to Victorie Maumouna of UJ Ladies
- Fair Play team of the tournament was Springs Home Sweepers.
Engen Knockout Challenge Individual Awards | Boys’ Division:
- Player of the tournament went to Gomolemo Kekana of TS Galaxy
- Goalkeeper of the tournament went to Khumo Rathokolo of Orlando Pirates
- Top Goalscorer of the tournament went to Thato Putswane of Wits FC
- Referee of the tournament went to Brian Pule Nkoba
- Coach of the tournament went to Phuphu Mohlaba of TS Galaxy
- Midfielder of the tournament went to Gomolemo Kekana of TS Galaxy
- Defender of the tournament went to Thato Sibiya of Mamelodi Sundowns
- Striker of the tournament went to Gosiame Ngobeni of Mamelodi Sundowns
- Fair Play team of the tournament was Joburg City FC.
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