Durban FC wins Engen Knockout Challenge
"We hope to do well in the national tournament and we are happy to have the opportunity to act on behalf of the province."
COACHES and footballing scouts from local and foreign professional clubs, descended on Moses Mabhida to attend the regional editions of the Engen Knockout Challenge in search of the next young South African football star.
Over the years, more than 150 players have been snapped up by professional clubs.The tournament, which started on Friday saw over 16 teams from across the province participate.
Local team, Durban Football Club, showed their strength and might when they were crowned champions of the Engen under 17 Knockout Challenge, after beating Toronto Blizzard, 10-9 on penalties in a thrilling final at Moses Mabhida on Sunday. The team will travel to Gauteng to represent the province in the first ever Engen Champ of Champs, to be held from August 4 to 6 in Johannesburg Mark Park Stadium Sport Complex.
Winning coach Jabulani Zondo said he was happy with his charges for sticking to the game plan.
“We hope to do well in the national tournament and we are happy to have the opportunity to act on behalf of the province. Our team contains many young players which would allow us to play competitively over the next two years,” said Zondo.
According to the Engen CSI Coordinator, Pumeza Ntisana, football scouts, “This is where it all starts. The Engen Knockout Challenge tournament has produced a number of players who have gone on to represent South Africa in the under-17 and under-20 FIFA World Cup tournaments.”
