Before Adrielle Mibe boards her flight to the United States, South Africa got one more glimpse of her brilliance – and it was unforgettable.
The 18-year-old Banyana Banyana midfielder capped off her South African youth career in spectacular fashion, guiding the University of Johannesburg to victory at the 2025 Engen Knockout Challenge, Gauteng leg, and walking away with both the Midfielder of the Tournament and the coveted Player of the Tournament awards.
It was the perfect swansong.
Mibe, who will soon join the University of Arizona on a scholarship to pursue a degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences while competing in the NCAA, showed her class throughout the tournament. In the final, her presence dictated the tempo – she won tackles, sprayed pinpoint passes, and even nearly got on the scoresheet with two thunderous strikes from range.
“She plays like Salma Paralluelo – the Spanish star with the speed and explosion that changes games,” says scout and former national player Nthabeleng “Dunga” Modiko. “She’ll either get in the box and finish or assist the one who does. She is a complete attacking midfielder.”
This wasn’t her first Engen triumph either – she’s now a three-time Engen champion, having also lifted the trophy in 2022 and 2023, aged just 15. Her 2024 campaign ended with a runners-up medal, but her 2025 performance was arguably her most complete yet.
Though she narrowly missed out on the final squad for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the tournament confirmed what many already knew – Mibe is destined for greater things.
“She uses both feet with power. She’s already represented South Africa at U17, U20, and senior level. This girl is ready,” Modiko added.
As Mibe now crosses the Atlantic, she leaves behind a legacy of dominance on the Engen stage and a trail of inspired young girls who watched her command the pitch one last time.
PLAYER PROFILE
Name: Adrielle Mibe
Club: University of Johannesburg
Position: Central Attacking midfielder
Age: 18
Preferred foot: Right and Left
Player traits: Packs a punch when shooting, free kick specialist and good at spotting goal-scoring passes and combinations
SCOUT REPORT
Coach Nthabeleng “Dunga” Modiko
What stood out to you the most about Adrielle?
Adrielle is a star in the making, already having won the Engen national championship and the knockout in 2022 and 2023 as a 15 y/old, she came with such dominance into the games. She plays in multiple positions and was thorough in helping defend and carry the ball offensively. She helps with creating the scoring opportunities and long range passing, not to mention the shooting ability from every angle as she uses both her left and right foot with power.
Which professional footballer in South Africa or abroad does she play like?
She resembles the Spaniard Salma Paraluello with her strength and speed and explosive take-off. She will always get into the box and finish moves, if not that, then she will definitely give an assist. A good prospect for the future as she has already experienced national team football at junior and recently senior level.
How important is the Engen Knockout Challenge for young players in South Africa?
So many players who started on this platform are now household names and sportstars worldwide, so this competition is really an important start-up especially for young coaches, players and administrators alike. We can mention now players like Ronelle Donelly of Banyana who was a winner of this competition just a few years ago and today has scored her first Banyana goal in a continental competition.
