The Cape Town leg of the Engen Knockout Challenge delivered on all fronts as the stars of tomorrow showcased their talents at the biggest youth football tournament in South Africa.
16 teams in both the U/18 boys division and the U/20 ladies division descended upon Erica Park Sports Ground for three days of high-intensity and good-quality football.
Stellenbosch FC and Cape Town Roses entered the tournament as the defending boys' and ladies' champions, respectively.
On the ladies' side, it was Cape Town Roses who asserted their dominance early on with a perfect group stage record, while RV United and Salt River Blackpool emerged as the likely sides to challenge Roses for their title.
Roses, led by their star striker Lisakhanya Situlweni, delivered a dominant performance in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, as they qualified for the final with just one goal conceded en-route to the final.
Salt River Blackpool eliminated Ubuntu Football at the quarter-final stage but lost out to Cape Town Roses in the semi-finals, while RV United maintained their unbeaten run as they qualified for the final.
Both sides put their winning records on the line as the crowds gathered to watch the two teams battle it out. In the end, Roses put United to the sword as they emerged 2-0 winners and continued their dynasty as they made it four-in-a-row.
In the boy's division, Stellenbosch, Cape Town City, Cape Town Spurs and SAFA Cape Town Academy entered the weekend as the pre-tournament favourites, while a host of community clubs looked to challenge the so-called 'big boys' for supremacy.
The likes of Stellenbosch, Eagles Performances Academy (EPA), Cape Town Spurs and Valhalla United went unbeaten through group stages, while Cape Town City and Everton also impressed to qualify for the knockout stage.
The quarter-finals provided the stage for one of the biggest tournament upsets as defending champions Stellenbosch were eliminated at the hands of Valhalla United.
Their fairytale run came to an end in the semi-finals as they were eliminated by EPA, who continued their unbeaten run heading into the final.
Meanwhile, the Blue and Gold Army booked their spot in the final after an exciting semi-final against SAFA Cape Town Academy. The Citizens emerged victorious on penalties following an exciting 1-1 draw in regular time.
The final was played in front of a packed crowd as the Citizens ended EPA's title charge with a convincing 3-1 win and marked the perfect redemption story for City after losing the 2024 final.
Engen Sports Brand Ambassador and former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo congratulated the two winners for their outstanding performances.
"Roses knew they were defending champions and everyone was coming for them but it didn't deter them from putting in the effort," he added.
He was impressed with the way Cape Town City bounced back from losing the final in the previous two years.
"They showed that, they fell short for two years in succession, and this year it was a message of intent to show that they want to win this tournament and go to the Champs of Champs to compete with the elite," Mhlongo said.
He praised the Cape Town leg of the tournament and said all future events can use it as an example.
"We shy away from the most fundamental aspect that shapes the future of these players - parental support," the former Bucaneer said. "Everyone came in numbers to support these kids. This is what we mean when we say it takes a whole community to raise a child," he added.
He concluded: "Most importantly, the community uniting together and breeding a new generation of future leaders, and that's what Cape Town showed throughout the days of the tournament. I wish everyone could learn a thing or two from Cape Town, from the community that came in numbers to support the kids."
