GAUTENG READY TO HOST ENGEN KNOCKOUT CHALLENGE PROVINCIAL TOURNAMENT

• Gauteng leg kicks off from 18 – 20 July
• Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies return as defending champions
• Brand & Sponsorship Manager Tsholo Tiro and Tournament Ambassador Thabo Senong offer insights ahead of the Gauteng playoffs

The official draw for the Gauteng leg of the 2025 Engen Knockout Challenge took place today at Wits Sturrock Park in Johannesburg.

Top under-18 male and under-20 female teams will compete for the provincial honours and a place in the Engen Champ of Champs, whichis set to take place from 3 – 5 October at the High-Performance Centre in Pretoria.

Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns return as defending champions in the male and female categories respectively and will be looking to hold on to their titles in what’s expected to be a competitive and exciting weekend of youth football.

Engen Brand & Sponsorship Manager Tsholo Tiro emphasises the importance of the tournament for youth development:

“The Engen Knockout Challenge continues to be a platform that allows us to make a real difference in the lives of young people. Our goal is to support development both on and off the field by giving young players, coaches, referees, and administrators the chance to grow,” said Tiro.

“This year’s theme ‘It’s Your Moment, Future Diski Legends’ is a call to young people to believe in themselves and capitalise on the opportunity that the tournament provides.. We’ve seen many alumni of the tournament go on to become legends of the game, and so this year we encourage the aspiring football stars to write their own stories in the rich tapestry of the Engen Knockout Challenge.

“Beyond the playing field, we’re also proud to provide a platform for our inaugural 2024 Sportscaster, Princess Mobeng, to continue to learn and grow in sports journalism. 

Our strategic partnership with Qrate continues from strength to strength helping educate and empower young women beyond the football field.”

The Gauteng playoffs will take place this weekend at the Wits Marks Park Sports Ground, where teams will battle it out for a chance to represent the province on the national stage.

FIFA Talent Coach and tournament ambassador Thabo Senong praised the high standard of football throughout the tournament:

“This year’s tournament has shown just how much talent there is in South African youth football. The level has been high across all provinces,” said Senong.

“What I appreciate most is the theme ‘It’s Your Moment, Future Diski Legends.’ It’s not just a message; it’s something the players are really taking to heart. You can see it in how they play with purpose and belief.”

ENGEN KNOCKOUT CHALLENGE GAUTENG DRAW OUTCOME:

GIRLS DRAW

GROUP A: RANDBURG FC, SAFA ACADEMY , FC RAYACON, JOBURG UNITED LADIES

GROUP B: MITO STARS LADIES , KEMPTON PARK LADIES , WITS UNIVERSITY, JVW

GROUP C: UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG, BLUE BIRDS LADIES , MAMELODI SUNDOWNS, UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA

GROUP D: DIEPKLOOF LADIES, FUTURE STARS, THEMBALETHU FC, PANORAMA LADIES

BOYS DRAW

GROUP A: APPA, TS GALAXY , KAZIER CHIEFS , JOBURG CITY

GROUP B: FLORIDA ALBION, ORLANDO PIRATES , SUPERSPORT UNITED, PANORAMA FC

GROUP C: MAMELODI SUNDOWNS , SAFA TRANSET SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE , RANDBURG AFC, KATOROUS HYPER ACADEMY,

GROUP D: WITS UNIVERSITY, HIGHLANDS PARK, UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA, RESA

-ENDS-