Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies lift Engen Knockout Challenge titles

Kaizer Chiefs claimed the Engen Knockout Challenge title on Sunday after an intense battle in the final against the defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, which concluded the three-day tournament at the Marks Park Sports Club in Johannesburg.

The newly crowned champions were clinical throughout their title chase and capped off their stellar performances with a surgically efficient 2-0 win over the former champions, who were good but unable to match the Amakhosi‘s sharp finishing.

While the loss was a huge disappointment for the Brazilians, they will draw solace from the fact that Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies were crowned the champions of the women’s division.

After winning consecutive Engen Knockout Challenge gold medals, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) fell to Sundowns Ladies in the final.

Regulation time, a tactical battle, finished in a 0-0 stalemate, but Sundowns showed excellent composure in the penalty shootout, which garnered them a 4-3 victory and denied UJ a hattrick of titles.

The crowning of the Gauteng champions also marked the conclusion of the provincial phase of the competition. The winners will now prepare to compete at the highly anticipated Engen Champ of Champs where the winners from the nine provinces will tackle each other head-on for the ultimate prize of being crowned the champions of the 2024 season.

As it has in years past, the Gauteng leg of the Engen Knockout Challenge saw top football coaches and players coming out to enjoy the talent on display, with coaches such as Pitso Mosimane (Abha FC, Saudi Arabia, and former Bafana Bafana coach) and Desiree Ellis (Banyana Banyana) spending their afternoon at the tournament.

Other notable attendees include players’ Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana), Shandre Campbell (SuperSport United), Siyabonga Mabena (Mamelodi Sundowns) and Sphelele Mkhulise (Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana).

Engen Knockout Challenge Individual Winners

Girls u20

Goalkeeper of the Tournament – Casey Gordon (JVW)
Defender of the Tournament – Shannon Macomo (UJ)
Midfielder of the Tournament – Jabulile Mbatha (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Striker of the Tournament – Gugu Dlamini (UJ)
Top Goal Scorer of the Tournament – Gugu Mabitsela (JVW)
Referee of the Tournament – Sibusisiwe Mdluli
Coach of the Tournament – Andisiwe Mgcoyi (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Fair Play Team of the Tournament – Mito Stars Ladies
Player of the Tournament – Jabulile Mbatha (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Boys’ u18

Goalkeeper of the Tournament – Colby Sinclair (Randburg AFC)
Defender of the Tournament – Gopolang Taunyana (Kaizer Chiefs)
Midfielder of the Tournament – Gomolemo Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Striker of the Tournament – Ofentse Kgosana (Kaizer Chiefs)
Top Goal Scorer of the Tournament – Lucky Muthewi  (SS United)
Coach of the Tournament – David Mathebula (Kaizer Chiefs)
Fair Play Team of the Tournament – Kathorus Hyper Academy
Player of the Tournament – Ofentse Kgosana (Kaizer Chiefs)