- Engen, SAFA officially launch 23rd edition of Engen Knockout Challenge
- New venue confirmed for Engen Champ of Champs Finals
- East London set to host Eastern Cape Provincial Finals
The 2025 edition of South Africa’s largest youth football competition, the Engen Knockout Challenge was officially launched at the Engen Headquarters in Cape Town on Monday, 26 May.
Attended by Engen Management, SAFA Cape Town Leadership as well as the 32 participating clubs, the official launch saw the organisers officially map out plans for the 2025 tournament.
As in previous editions, the Engen Knockout Challenge will take place across the country, with provincial winners set to battle it out in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions at the Engen Champ of Champs in Gauteng later in the year.
The World-class High-Performance Centre in Pretoria was confirmed as this year’s hosts of the Engen Champ of Champs set to take place between 3 – 5 October 2025.
Speaking from the official launch, where the official draw for the Cape Town leg was conducted, Engen Brand and Sponsorship Manager, Tsholo Tiro emphasised Engen’s commitment to youth development, adding that its investment in South Africa’s youth development continues to grow beyond the field of play.
“The Engen Knockout Challenge has been one of Engen’s most important youth development properties over the years. The 23-year milestone is testament of Engen’s unwavering support for youth development, in addition to various youth empowerment opportunities provided by Engen such as our Engen Maths & Science Schools programme - which has been empowering young people across the country for over 40 years”, said Tiro.
Commenting on the ongoing success of the Engen Knockout Challenge, Tiro highlighted the brand’s commitment to innovation and the brand’s partnership with SAFA.
“The bedrock of the Engen Knockout Challenge is its innovation. We always work well with our partners to ensure that the standard remains high. 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 concluded.
Thanking Engen for the ongoing commitment to football and youth development, SAFA Cape Town President, Mr Bennet Bailey said the success of the tournament is as a result Engen’s commitment.
“Engen has been a proud partner of football development for years. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to nurturing talent, creating opportunities, and uplifting communities through the beautiful game of football. Together we are investing in the future South African football”, said Bennet.
The Engen Knockout Challenge officially gets underway in Cape Town’s Erika Park Sports Ground between 27 – 29 June.
Durban will host the KwaZulu-Natal leg between 04 – 05 July with East London set to host the Engen Knockout Challenge Eastern Cape leg for the very first time in the history of the tournament between 12 – 13 July.
Gauteng will host its provincial play-offs on 18 – 20 July.
Official dates and venues for the Free State, Limpopo, Northern Cape, North West and Mpumalanga will be communicated in due course.
ENGEN KNOCKOUT CHALLENGE CAPE TOWN DRAW OUTCOME:
GIRLS DRAW
GROUP A: CAPE TOWN ROSES, HBU FC, MAGIC LADIES, STELLENBOSCH FC
GROUP B: CPUT LADIES, SALT RIVER BLACKPOOL, RYGATE LADIES,
GROUP C: REAL BRAZILIANS, UBUNTU FOOTBALL, NORWAY PARKS, RV UNITED
GROUP D: GOAL HUNTERS, STANTURF UNITED, DANGEROUS HEROES, RYGATE LADIES
BOYS DRAW
GROUP A: CAPE TOWN SPURS, ROCK A FELLAS FC, JUVENTUS AFC, EVERTON FC
GROUP B: CAPE COWN CITY, BELLSTAR UNITED, MATROOSFONTEIN FC, VALHALLA UNITED
GROUP C: STELLENBOSCH FC, DISTRICT SIX FC, NORWAY PARKS, DE NOVO UNITED,
GROUP D: SAFA CAPE TOWN ACADEMY, EAGLES PERFORMANCE ACADEMY UNITED, EYETHU FC, WESTRIDGE FC
