eBhayi FC and Nav Galaxy are Engen Knockout Challenge Eastern Cape champs
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 |
