High scoring light up day one of the Engen Champs of Champs
The Engen Champs of Champs, being played at the University of Pretoria‘s High Performance Centre (HPC), got off to an entertaining start on Friday, with the Gauteng boys’ and women’s champions, Panorama, and the University of Johannesburg (UJ) catching the eye, while Cape Town Roses also shone in the women’s competition.
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In the lead-up to the event, there were some concerns about the performances of Panorama, who had experienced a drop-off in form in the Gauteng Development League (GDL) since their historic 2-1 comeback victory over Kaizer Chiefs in the Engen Knockout Challenge Gauteng.
On Friday, though, Panorama made a winning start to their Champs of Champs campaign. They faced Postmasburg in a Group A clash in their first game and came away with a narrow 2-1 victory. Kayle Thomas and Thabang Hlaudi netted for the Gauteng champions, while Omatle Molema replied for the resilient Northern Cape representatives.
Then, Panorama raised the bar in their second outing, with the Roodepoort-based club scoring a decisive 4-0 victory over the Limpopo champions, Bakgaga United.
In another exciting Group A match, Postmasburg shared a 2-2 draw with the Free State champions, Junior Birds. Katleho Molema struck twice for Postmasburg, while the dynamic duo of Monaheng Ntsalong and Vuyo Tsoeunyane found the back of the net for the Free Staters.
Junior Birds played to another draw, sharing the spoils 1-1 with EastHigh Boys Academy, while the match between Bakgaga United and EastHigh Boys Academy ended goalless.
In Group B of the tournament, one of the favourites, Cape Town City, picked up a 2-0 win. So, too, did Chippa United.
In one of the day’s most anticipated matches, Cape Town City faced Kusekhaya Football Academy, the KwaZulu-Natal representatives. Goals from Nande Witbooi and Siyanda Mangciba secured the points for the Western Cape side.
Chippa United won 2-0 against Potch Academy. The Urban Academy alumni, Qhamani Gubevu, who shone in school football in 2024, but is now playing for Chippa United, was on fire, netting a brace.
On Saturday, day one winners, Cape Town City and Chippa United will meet in a contest that is likely to decide the group winner.
In the girls’ competition, the Gauteng champions, UJ, got off to a flying start, sticking five goals past Mafikeng Ladies without reply. The experience of the UJ players was evident, as most of their team has been actively engaged in competitive football throughout the year, participating in both the Hollywoodbets Super League and the Varsity Women’s Football Cup.
Gugu Dlamini led the scoring for UJ, striking twice, while Lumka Qhekeka, Thato Mofolo, and Nhlakanipho Moyo each contributed a goal.
While the focus was directed towards UJ, another title contender made a statement when Cape Town Roses overwhelmed the Eastern Cape’s champions, City Lads Ladies, 6-0. Emihle Mazana scored a hat-trick, Lisakhanya Situlweni added two goals, and Siyamthanda Macingwana completed the scoring.
In Group A, Durban Ladies, another of the tournament’s top contenders, secured a 3-1 victory over EastHigh Girls Academy.
One of South Africa’s top emerging talents, Durban Ladies’ Khwezi Khoza has already caught the eye in the South African National Development Team and in the Caf African Schools Championship alongside Katleho Malebana, and she netted two goals for the KZN side, while Kusaselihle Shibane also struck.
Later in the day, Durban Ladies made it two out of two with a 3-0 victory over Ixias Ladies.
Royal Wizards also picked up two wins, with Kedisaletse van der Ross to the fore. She grabbed a brace in a 2-0 win over Ixias Ladies, and she was the sole scorer in a tight victory over Sisters.
After going down to Durban Ladies, EastHigh Girls Academy bounced back with a 3-0 win over Sisters, with Angel Ntsila, Nkosingiphile Mthombeni, and Ndimphiwe Ngomane finding the back of the net.
RESULTS
Boys’ Competition
Group A
EastHigh Boys Academy 1-1 Junior Birds
Panorama 2-1 Postmasburg
Bakgaga 0-0 EastHigh Boys Academy
Postmasbug 2-2 Junior Birds
Panorama 4-0 Bakgaga United
Group B
Cape Town City 2-0 Kusekhaya
Chippa United 2-0 Potch Academy
Girls’ Competition
Group A
Royal Wizards 1-0 Sisters
Durban Ladies 3-1 EastHigh Girls Academy
Royal Wizards 2-0 Ixias Ladies
EastHigh Girls Academy 3-0 Sisters
Durban Ladies 3-0 Ixias Ladies
Group B
Cape Town Roses 6-0 City Lads Ladies
UJ 5-0 Mafikeng Ladies
