KAIZER Chiefs reclaimed their Engen Knockout Challenge title on Sunday, after an intense battle in the final against former champions Mamelodi Sundowns to conclude the three-day tournament played at the Marks Park Sports Grounds in Johannesburg.
The newly crowned champions capped off a stellar performance with a workmanlike 2-0 win over the former champions who were equally as good but were overcome by Amakhosi’s clinical finishing.
While the loss was a huge disappointment for the former champions, they will draw solace in the fact that Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies were crowned champions of the women’s division of the tournament.
After back-to-back Engen Knockout Challenge gold medals, University of Johannesburg were eventually overcome by Sundowns Ladies.
After a tactical 0-0 stalemate, the newly crowned champions showed composure in the penalty shoot-out with a 4-3 victory to see them crowned champions of Gauteng and deny UJ a third successive gold.
The crowning of the Gauteng champions also marked the conclusion of the provincial phase of the competition as teams now prepare to compete at the highly anticipated Engen Champ of Champs where winners from each of the nine provinces will take each other on for the ultimate prize of being crowned champions of the 2024 season.
As in previous years, the Gauteng leg of the Engen Knockout Challenge saw well-known players and football coaches such as Pitso Mosimane and Desiree Ellis coming out to enjoy the talent on display.
Other noticeable faces that graced the tournament over the weekend included Themba Zwane, Shandre Campbell, Siyabonga Mabena and Sphelele Mkhulise.
For a comprehensive overview of the Gauteng leg of the Engen Knockout Challenge visit www.engensports.co.za.
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 (Sundowns)
Striker of the tournament Gugu Dlamini (UJ)
Top goalscorer of the tournament Gugu Mabitsela (JVW)
Referee of the tournament Sibusisiwe Mdluli
Coach of the tournament Andisiwe Mgcoyi (Sundowns)
Fair play team of the tournament Mito Stars Ladies
Player of the tournament Jabulile Mbatha (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 (Sundowns)
Striker of the tournament Ofentse Kgosana (Kaizer Chiefs)
Top goalscorer of the tournament Lucky Muthewi (SS United)
Coach of the tournament David Mathebulsa (Kaizer Chiefs)
Fair play team of the tournament Khathorus Hyper Academy
Player of the tournament Ofentse Kgosana (Kaizer Chiefs)