The draw for the Cape Town leg of the Engen Knockout Challenge took place on Monday and Soccer Laduma was on hand to witness everything unfold.
The Engen Knockout Challenge is now in its 23rd year and will take place at Erica Park in Belhar from 27-29 June.
This year’s ambassador for the Engen Knockout Challenge is former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, Brighton Mhlongo, who played in the tournament when he was a youngster.
As the ambassador, Mhlongo explained the role he would play in helping to bring the best out of players.
"The most important is that personal interaction with players and coaches whereby we get to impart the knowledge you have," he said.
"We only know as far as you have travelled in life according to maturity and age and the journey and what a way to have someone who has walked that path and shared that life experience," he added.
The former shot stopper explained that he wanted to be a mentor to the young players in the same way he wanted when he was a young player and stressed the importance of emotional, psychological and mental support.
"That's what I'm most looking forward to, having those personal interactions just to ask 'What did you have for breakfast?', 'How's everyone at home?' then you will see the best of a player that recognises that they are appreciated."
The event was spearheaded by Engen Brand and Sponsorship Manager Tsholo Tiro and South African Football Association (SAFA) Vice-President Bennett Bailey.
"The Engen Knockout Challenge has been one of Engen’s most important youth development properties over the years," she said.
Tiro praised the tournament for its innovation and longevity after running for more than 20 years.
"The bedrock of the Engen Knockout Challenge is its innovation. We always work well with our partners to ensure that the standard remains high," she said.
"For the tournament to reach a 23-year milestone, it clearly underscores Engen’s commitment to this platform and its passion for youth and community development," she added.
The 2025 Cape Town leg features 16 teams in both the boys (U18) and girls (U20) divisions with Stellenbosch FC and Cape Town Roses the respective defending champions.
On the boy's side, Stellenbosch will be looking to defend their title and will hope to become the first team to win the competition back-to-back-to-back after successes in 2023 and 2024. Stellenbosch coach Morne Crumpton reflected on his team's chances of doing so.
"You have to be confident to defend your title. It's difficult to win it two years in a row but most importantly, the confidence is there and we've got a good youth structure with the players that have come in through the system and I think they will do well," Crumtpon said.
The likes of Cape Town City, SAFA Cape Town Academy, and Cape Town Spurs will be looking to challenge the defending champions.
Cape Town Roses are the overwhelming favourites on the girl's side of the draw, but can expect tough opposition from the likes of Stellenbosch FC, CPUT Ladies and Ubuntu Football.
Stellenbosch FC and Norway Parks FC have the honour of being the only two sides competing in both divisions this year.
The winners of the Cape Town Engen Knockout Challenge will represent the Western Cape at the Engen Champs of Champs taking place later this year.
