Engen extends heartfelt congratulations to South Africa’s U20 national team, Amajita, on their unforgettable AFCON victory a moment that echoes far beyond the final whistle.
A significant number of players in this victorious squad are proud graduates of the Engen Knockout Challenge – a platform that has consistently unearthed, shaped and sharpened future stars of South African football.
One of the most remarkable journeys among the squad is that of Gomolemo Kekana, who made his debut at the Engen Knockout Challenge in 2021 with TS Galaxy.
In 2022, he was crowned both Player of the Tournament and Midfielder of the Tournament. His talent caught the eye of Mamelodi Sundowns scouts, and by 2024 he was donning their jersey at the tournament again taking home top accolades as Player and Midfielder of the Tournament. Though he never lifted the Engen Knockout Challenge trophy, his journey came full circle when he scored the winning goal in South Africa’s 1-0 victory over Morocco in the CAF U20 AFCON final.
Reflecting on his rise, Kekana said: “Thank you to Engen for the platform and the belief. I didn’t win the tournament, but I won something bigger a career. I hope Engen continues to give opportunities to young players across the country. To everyone preparing for EKOC, take your moment. The future is unpredictable, and you never know who’s watching.”
For over two decades, Engen has been backing youth football, supporting development, and helping turn raw potential into polished talent. What these players have achieved shows the power of that consistency.
“Watching these players go from Engen Knockout Challenge hopefuls to African champions is a full-circle moment,” said Tsholo Tiro, Brand & sponsorship Manager at Engen. “It’s a proud day for South African football and a proud day for all of us at Engen who have walked this journey with them. This win proves that when you give talent a platform, greatness follows.”
Engen is proud to have been part of the journey, walking alongside these Future Diski Legends from the earliest whistle to their greatest moment yet.
