By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The return of the Engen Knockout Challenge to the Eastern Cape province was welcomed with huge excitement by the South African Football Association’s Eastern Cape office, after the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University kicked off the opening day of the tournament in Gqebhera on Saturday, 22 June.

South Africa’s largest youth football tournament has made an exciting return to the province, having last being played in 2019.

A total of 24 teams, equally divided between Boys U-18 and Girls U-20 kicked off the two-day competition to the high appreciation of SAFA National Executive Committee Member, Mzimkhulu Fina, who hailed Engen’s efforts of partnering with SAFA in developing youth football.

“We are excited to be having this tournament taking place here again. As SAFA, we want to thank Engen. The province has just celebrated the qualification of Highbury FC to the ABC Motsepe League, and most of those players are a product of this tournament. So, it means a lot for us and our government of Eastern Cape when they (Engen) invest in us as it helps us produce players.

“Engen’s tireless efforts in providing a platform for talent identification was also credited for the ongoing emergence of South African football talent is even represented at international competitions,” he said.

 Fina further said they look at key Bafana Bafana players such as Ronwen Williams, who played in this tournament. He added that the province will be hosting the COSAFA Cup next week, most of the players that will be playing there have played in this tournament.

“So, it means a lot to see such because most people see the result but are not aware of the process and this is where it all starts, where you have partners like Engen leading the way when it comes to development.

“The tournament’s return to the Eastern Cape also coincides with the first official appearance of one of the tournament ambassadors’ first appearance, in Akhona Makalima – a native of the Eastern Cape province,” said Fina.

Makalima, a FIFA, CAF and SAFA accredited referee forms part of the Engen Knockout Challenge team of ambassadors, with the primary role of helping in the identification and guidance of young referees at the Engen Knockout Challenge. 

“It is an absolute honour for me to be joining the Engen Knockout Challenge family. I am particularly excited in the effort being made to afford young and aspirant match officials an opportunity to learn and acquire the experience needed.

“Such opportunities are rare for match officials, so the role being played by Engen is quite critical for match officials at grassroots level” said Makalima.

As expected, Day one of the competition produced interesting encounters, with teams in both the boys and girls putting their best foot forward.

The tournament concludes on 22 June with the winners in both the boys and girls’ division guaranteed a place at the Engen Champ of Champs in September this year.

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