The Eastern Cape has new champions of the Engen Knockout Challenge, after eBhayi FC and Nav Galaxy FC were crowned the 2024 Engen Knockout Challenge Eastern Cape champions on Sunday, 23 June at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU).
The return of the tournament to the talent-rich Eastern Cape province lived up the high expectations, with all 24 participating teams producing quality youth football at the two-day tournament in Gebhera.
The crowning of eBhayi FC in the boys and Nav Galaxy FC in the girl’s division means the province will be represented by new teams at this year’s Engen Champ of Champs, with eBhayi dethroning Chippa United in the boys’ section, while Nav Galaxy take the crown from former champions, City Lads FC.
eBhayi FC was clinical enroute to the final as they finished top of the group following a 3-1 win over Sophia Young Stars in their opening match, which was followed by a 4-1 drubbing of Maria Louw High to finish top of their group.
The quarterfinals saw eBhayi cruising over Ndakeni Young Stars with a 3-0 win before edging United Brothers 2-1 in the Semi-Finals in what was a closely contested encounter.
The newly crowned champions wrapped things up in style in the final with a 2-0 win that saw them dethrone Chippa United to be crowned the new champions of the Eastern Cape.
Nav Galaxy had quite a tough start to their campaign when they had to dig deep for a 1-0 win over Golden Stars in their opening match before their 2-0 win over Phoenix Birds Ladies FC in their second group match.
Against Bay Stars Ladies, Galaxy had picked up great momentum, resulting in a comfortable 3-0 win which sent them to the semi-finals where they cruised past Kilimanjaro Stars with a comfortable 5-0 win.
Galaxy then faced the 2023 champions, City Lads FC who they impressively held to a 0-0 draw before being crowned champions after a dramatic 4-3 penalty victory.
The Engen Knockout Challenge continues next weekend, with Durban set to host the KwaZulu-Natal leg of the competition between 29 – 30 June in what promises to be another exciting and action filled weekend of youth football entertainment by Engen.
For a full list of results from the Eastern Cape –
Engen Knockout Challenge EC Individual Awards:
GIRLS DIVISION
| AWARD | PLAYER | TEAM |
| Referee of the tournament | Christiano Leroux | – |
| GK of the tournament | Unako Koyana | Nav Galaxy Ladies |
| Defender of the tournament | Lucretia Smith | Golden Stars |
| Midfielder of the tournament | Avuya Mpensheni | Nav Galaxy Ladies |
| Striker of the tournament | Aphelele January | Kilimanjaro Stars |
| Top Goalscorer | Endinako Gqboka | Ayakha Stars |
| Coach of the tournament | Asevela Nyeleka | Nav Galaxy Ladies |
| Fair Play Team of the tournament | – | Baystar Ladies |
| Player of the tournament | Avuya Mpensheni | Nav Galaxy Ladies |
BOYS DIVISION
| AWARD | PLAYER | TEAM |
| Goalkeeper of the tournament | Ayanda Tembani | Sophia Young Stars |
| Defender of the tournament | Cole Frost | Ebhayi FC |
| Midfielder of the tournament | Olwethu Songelwa | Sophia Young Stars |
| Striker of the tournament | Liyahluma Mawaba | Sophia Young Stars |
| Top Goalscorer | Lee Rogan Dekock | Ebhayi FC |
| Coach of the tournament | Caleb Van Roogen | Ebhayi FC |
| Fair Play Team of the tournament | – | Nyathi FC |
| Player of the tournament | Lee Rogan Dekock | Ebhayi FC |
