The Gauteng leg of the Engen U17 Knockout tournament will commence this coming Friday morning (June 28) at Marks Park in the Wits University precinct and will conclude on Sunday, June 30.
 
Tournament ambassador Asive Langwe has asked the Gauteng Engen U17 Knockout Challenge hopefuls to only focus on matters on the field and to forget about the off-field activities which tend to be a distraction.
 
“If a young footballer wants become a professional player he must keep his feet on the ground and focus on football,” said the Wits winger.
 
“As a young player you should not engage in off the field things that will have a direct effect on your playing abilities.
 
“Players know what they are told by their coaches, they know the life skills and they should listen to their mentors because some careers are not ended by lack of ability on the field, but by a lack of responsibility of it,” he said.
 
In celebration of Engen’s 10th Anniversary of the Engen Knockout Challenge, one player per region from non-professional clubs will be selected to be flown up to the High Performance Centre in Pretoria.
 
During their stay there, they will experience what it is like to live the life of a professional footballer.
 
Their stay will include activities such as Sport Science training, technical sessions, bleep tests, psychology talks and many other activities that will be beneficial to their growth as footballers. Additionally, scouts from across South Africa will be able to look at these players.
 
Langwe believes that young players from the age of 16 should be given a chance to be part of the professional set up. Langwe made his PSL debut at the age of 17 and has proven that young players need to be given a chance in order to develop into world class players.
 
“A player at the age of 16 should be ready to play professional football,” he said.
 
“These youngsters should already be trying to catch the eyes of first team coaches because I remember playing in this tournament and then a few months down the line I was already in the first team at Bidvest Wits.”
 
The full Gauteng fixture list for the tournament is as follows:
Group A - Wits University, Germiston City, University of Pretoria, Bidvest Wits
Group B - School of Excellence, Diambars, Rosina Sedibane School, MP Black Aces
Group C - Moroka Swallows, Diepsloot Arsenal, Senaone Gunners, Kaizer Chiefs
Group D - Mamelodi Sundowns, Soweto Select, SuperSport United, SSS.