Tournament hosts, Durban Ladies along with AmaZulu FC are the two teams that will represent KwaZulu-Natal in the Engen Champ of Champs in September after being crowned champions of the Engen Knockout Challenge on Sunday afternoon.
After three full days of youth football from 32 Clubs, equally split between boys and girls at the Siripat Road Sports Ground in Reservoir Hills, it was the two clubs who emerged champions as the tournament drew to a close.
Durban Ladies’ victory came right at the end with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Sunflower FC while AmaZulu equally had to dig deep to overcome the defending champions, Midlands Academy by the same scoreline to be crowned champions.
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In addition to being crowned champions and securing a ticket to Johannesburg, both teams walked away with a R25 000.00 winner’s prize money as an additional incentive from Engen.
Wrapping up what has been an exceptional display of talent in Durban, Engen Knockout Challenge Technical Director and SA U-17 Boys head coach, Duncan Crowie said he was impressed with the quality of talent that was on display in both the boys’ and girls’ section throughout the tournament.
“I have been to Durban quite a few times for this tournament and I can see that there is a big improvement in both the boys and girls’ divisions. If you look at the structures of most teams, you can see that they have grown and are well coached, which has been prevalent in the last three days. The quality of football has really improved in this region”, said Crowie.
Individual brilliance was also recognized by Engen throughout the three days with the rewarding of individual awards from players who stood out in the tournament.
Engen Knockout Challenge Individual Awards | Girls Division
AWARD
RECIPIENT
CLUB
Player of the tournament
Ayanda Mkhize
Durban Ladies FC
Goalkeeper of the tournament
Zanele Zindela
Sunflower Ladies FC
Top Goalscorer of the tournament
Asanda Hadebe
Sunflower
Referee of the tournament
Nkosikhona Masibukweni
NA
Coach of the tournament
Sanele Mavundla
Durban Ladies FC
Midfielder of the tournament
Ayanda Mkhize
Durban Ladies FC
Defender of the tournament
Ronnell Donnelly
Shooting Stars FC
Fair Play team of the tournament
Lindelani Ladies FC
Lindelani Ladies FC
Engen Knockout Challenge Individual Awards | Boys Division
AWARD
RECIPIENT
CLUB
Player of the tournament
Langelihle Majola
AmaZulu FC
Goalkeeper of the tournament
Bayanda Zulu
Midlands Academy FC
Top Goalscorer of the tournament
Nzuzo Memela
AmaZulu FC
Coach of the tournament
Andile Cele
AmaZulu FC
Midfielder of the tournament
Langelihle Majola
AmaZulu FC
Defender of the tournament
Onke Ncama
AmaZulu FC
Fair Play team of the tournament
Durban South Academy
AmaZulu FC
