Bidvest Wits crowned Engen Knockout Challenge champions

Bidvest Wits are the 2018 Engen Knockout Challenge - Johannesburg champions after edging Orlando Pirates 1-0 in Sunday’s final.

The Clever Boys join fellow regional winners Hellenic (Cape Town), Apex United (Port Elizabeth), Royal Eagles (Durban) and Virginia Sports Academy (Bloemfontein), plus host club Supersport United in the Engen Champ of Champs, which will be played in early October

The Johannesburg tournament was graced by some of the biggest names in South African football, with Mark Fish, Daniel “Sailor” Tshabalala, Shaun Bartlett and Surprise Moriri all keeping a close eye on the talented youngsters

These legends were joined by SAFA national youth coaches, Thabo Senong and Helman Mkhalele, while renowned scouts Grant Nieuwenhuys, Paul Mitchell and Glyn Binkin were on hand to try to spot tomorrow’s superstars.

Defending champions Stars of Africa were the team to beat. They are, after all, an academy
responsible for producing the likes of Luther Singh, May Mahlangu and Tokelo Rantie, all of whom have played for Bafana Bafana.

After topping Group B, Stars of Africa faced Bidvest Wits in the semi-finals. They were however unable to repeat their 2017 heroics and were edged 10 - 9 in a thrilling penalty shootout after being locked at 0-0 after full-time.

Pirates, who got the better of Mamelodi Sundowns in the quarterfinals, took on Highlands Park in the other semi.  Despite a brave fight from the ‘Lions of the North’ the young Buccaneers team bagged the only goal of the game to squeeze through to the title decider.

The final thrilled the fans in attendance, with plenty of goalmouth action. 

Pirates head coach Micho Sredojevic and his assistant Rhulani Mokwena were on hand to lend support, as their academy boys controlled possession but could not find the back of the net.

Bidvest Wits, watched by first-team coach Gavin Hunt, also played some outstanding football.

The title was eventually decided by a stunning free-kick by Deon Horn late in the first half. The Wits player floated the ball over the Pirates wall into the far corner, with the ‘keeper rooted to the ground.

Despite controlling much of the second half, Pirates could not find a way back as the Students held firm to take the title. 

Wits coach, Siza Maphala lauded his players' mental strength and tenacity and hoped there would be just reward for a few players with promotion to the senior squad. 

“Mental strength is key in football, you cannot achieve success without it,” he said afterwards. 

“Hopefully, our first team coach (Gavin Hunt) will promote one or two players this season.” 

With regional tournaments done and dusted, the respective champions have a couple of months to prepare for the 2018 Engen Champ of Champs, which is scheduled to run from 4–7 October 2018.

Individual Awards:

Referee of the tournament                 Happy Nhlanhla

Defender of the tournament              Thabiso Sesane (Orlando Pirates)

Midfielder of the tournament             Radzilani Ndamulelo (Bidvest Wits)

Top goal scorer of the tournament    Thato Molelekwa (Stars of Africa)

Goalkeeper of the tournament          Elson Sithole (Orlando Pirates)

Coach of the tournament                  Willem Jackson (Highlands Park)

Fair Play team of the tournament     Dlamini Experience XI

Player of the tournament                    Solly Khunyedi (Bidvest Wits)