The Engen Champ of Champs looks to be a mouth-watering weekend feast of youth football
Parents and ordinary lovers of the beautiful game, especially youth development football, are encouraged to show up to support their children.
An appetising weekend feast of youth development football is on the cards for lovers of the beautiful game at the Marks Park Sports Complex.
The annual Engen Knockout Challenge culminates in the Engen Champ of Champs, which involves all the winners of the provincial challenge games, battling it out in both boys’ and girls’ football, to produce the ultimate Champ of Champs.
Read more: Engen announces teams for the champ of champs
The battle lines were drawn when Engen, in partnership with Safa Johannesburg Region, conducted the draw to produce the mouth-watering clashes that kick off today [September 27], with the champs set to be crowned on September 29.
This year’s Champ of Champs is guaranteed to produce a new winner after Mamelodi Sundowns’ U18 boys, as well as University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) girls U20, champions in their respective categories, were both eliminated during the Engen Knockout Challenge stages in July.
Also read: Mamelodi Sundowns and UJ Ladies crowned Engen GP champions
The draw saw Kaizer Chiefs headlining an interesting Group A of the boys’ section of the three-day tournament, which also produced some interesting ties. Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies stands out as one of the tournament favourites in Group A of the girls’ section.
Sharing his thoughts on the draw outcome, Amakhosi’s youth coach and former player David Mathebula said; “the team is looking forward to the tournament. This is a title we once lifted and, with home-ground advantage and a strong-willed team, we are confident of putting up a good showing that will hopefully produce the desired results”.
At the draw, Sundowns Ladies coach Andisiwe Mgcoyi said, “winning this [Engen Knockout Challenge] tournament has given our players great confidence. The team knows the importance of winning which has become a culture for this club but we know it will not be easy. We are in competition against quality teams from across the country so we cannot take anything for granted,” Mgcoyi said.
Engen Champ of Champs draw results:
BOYS
GROUP A: Virginia Sports Academy, Ebhayi FC, Thlolhokwe FC, Kaizer Chiefs FC, Shayamoya FC.
GROUP B: Ebenezer FC, Stellenbosch FC, Sasol Juventus, Galeshewe Stars FC.
GIRLS
GROUP A: Storm Ladies FC, Sisters FC, Ixias Ladies FC, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC, Diamond FC.
GROUP B: Nav Galaxy FC, Thames Ladies FC, Durban Ladies, Cape Town Roses.
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Related article: Alex’s Bluebirds Ladies knocked out of Engen tournament
