Cape Town City and UJ win Engen Champ of Champs

Cape Town City and the University of Johannesburg (UJ) were crowned the boys’ u18 and women’s u20 Engen Champ of Champs winners on Sunday, at the Tuks Stadium, in Pretoria.

Cape Town City lifted the boys’ title with a comfortable 3-0 win over Chippa United in the gold medal match. It was a reversal of the outcome of an earlier group match, played the previous day, which the East London-based club, Chippa United, won 2-0.

In the final, the narrative changed as The Citizens from the Mother City tasted sweet revenge when it mattered most.

Cape Town City battled their way into the final after a penalty shootout victory over Panorama in the semi-finals. Regulation time in their clash ended goalless, but Panorama faltered from the spot, missing three times in succession while Cape Town City converted their opportunities to advance 3-0.

Chippa United, meanwhile, was given a good workout by Junior Birds, but the Eastern Cape side advanced with a 1-0 semifinal victory.

Joshua Taylor caught the eye and was one of the most talked-about players at the Engen Champs of Champs. He was a driving force for the title-winning Citizens and his crucial role in their success was rewarded with the Midfielder of the Tournament and Player of the Tournament accolades.

Gennaro Johnson, also of Cape Town City, was named the Goalkeeper of the Tournament, while Zazi Qotoyi, who commanded the backline in front of him, received the Defender of the Tournament Award.

The Top Goalscorer accolade was jointly given to the Panorama duo of Kayle Thomas and Thabang Hlaudi, while Hlaudi shared the Striker of the Tournament with Qhamani Gubevu, of Chippa United.

In the u20 women’s competition, the favourites met in the final. UJ booked their place in the title game with a tight 1-0 victory over EastHigh Girls Academy, while Durban Ladies won through to the big game with a 2-1 defeat of Cape Town Roses.

The final was a tight affair, with UJ edging out Durban Ladies 1-0.

Delisile Mbatha, the title-winning coach of UJ, was honoured as the Coach of the Tournament.

Okuhle Sithole, from Durban Ladies, received the accolade of Player of the Tournament. The Top Goal Scorers of the tournament were Siyamthanda Macingwana and Lisakhanyana Situlweni, from Cape Town Roses.

Khwezi Khoza, of Durban Ladies, was named the Striker of the Tournament, while UJ’s Portia Masilela was awarded the Defender of the Tournament. The Goalkeeper of the Tournament title went to Siphokazi Xaba of UJ.