The Engen Knockout Challenge, the prestigious under-17 youth football tournament, which has proved a major stepping stone for young players into the professional ranks, is once again set to take South Africa by storm.
Taking place in five provinces across South Africa, the tournament will once again feature 16 teams per region going head-to-head. The regional winners will all head for Johannesburg in October, where they will battle it out to be crowned the Engen Champ of Champs for 2015.
Over the past 11 years, the Engen Knockout Challenge has given numerous Under 17s the chance to show their stuff. Several Bafana Bafana players have come through it, including Thulani Serero, Ronwen Williams, Thuso Phala and George Maluleka, while a further 57 players who competed in the event are currently playing professional football.
Last year’s Engen Knockout Challenge regional winners were Harmony Academy from Bloemfontein, PE Sundowns from Port Elizabeth, ASD Cape Town, Supersport United Academy and Amazulu FC Academy. All will feature in this year’s regionals, determined to make the national finals and unseat 2014 Champ of Champs winners Supersport United as overall champions.
The 2015 Engen Knockout Challenge promises to be as exciting as previous years, with an exceptionally high standard of football on display. Engen calls on all competitors to realise their dreams with top scouts from far and wide flocking to the event in search of the next generation of football superstars.
Tournament Dates:
Port Elizabeth: 26-28 June 2015
Bloemfontein: 3-5 July 2015
Durban: 17-19 July 2015
Johannesburg: 31 July – 2 August 2015
Cape Town: 7-9 August 2015 (TBC)
Superstars of tomorrow set to light up the Engen Knockout Challenge
Action shots during the final match at the 2014 Engen Knockout Challenge at Galvendale Sports Complex, Port Elizabeth South Africa on 29 June 2014 ©Pic Michael Sheehan/BackpagePix
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