Randburg Football Club shows character at the Bayhill Premier Cup

Randburg Football Club became giant slayers, shocking many, when they reach the final of the 2025 edition of the Bayhill Premier Cup in Cape Town.

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The tournament kicked off over the Easter weekend, with 32 development teams from all around South Africa. The Randburg U19 side were placed in a group alongside favourites, and their Gauteng Development League (GDL) rivals: Mamelodi Sundowns, African Giants, Valhalla FC, and Antalayaspor.

The local boys were held to a 1–1 draw by Antalyaspor in the opening encounter. The lads led 1–0 until the last minute, despite receiving a very harsh red card early in the game. They faced the familiar faces of Sundown in the second game, suffering a 2–0 loss. With one point in the group, the boys had everything to play for in the last group stages match against Valhalla. They did not disappoint, fighting back and collecting all points, qualifying for the knock out stage.

Randburg coach Paul Habib admitted that it was an extremely tough group, with both Sundowns and Antalyaspor, but the boys worked hard and tactically were very good, getting them over the edge. “Bayhill is definitely the most challenging youth tournament out there. Playing against the crowd, weather conditions, and physicality of the Cape Town teams, made it very challenging. This was more challenging than last year’s semifinal defeat to Chiefs on penalties.”

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In the knockout round, Randburg faced Bayhill United, taking a 2–0 victory which took them to the quarter finals. Meeting their rival for the second time, the Blue Army was unstoppable as they beat a Mamelodi Sundowns side littered with national team players 1–0, to claim their spot in the cup semi-final, where they faced a talented, and determined, SAFA Cape Town. They took a 1–0 victory to book a space in the finals against Ubuntu Football Academy. Sadly, the Blue Army fell short 2–0 in the finals, and Ubuntu were crowned the 2025 champions.

Habib explained that he is extremely proud of the team, as they fought through massive fatigue. They played seven games in five days, which was no easy task. “The quality of football on display was remarkable. The boys were very down, but we boosted them by showing the quality football they played over the week. They know they will be on to bigger things in their careers.

“It just was not our day. We missed big chances, as well as a penalty miss which would have got us back in the game. But the boys were amazing. The team will go back to the GDL, where they are currently sitting second, behind Supersport. As well as the Engen tournament coming up, which most of them can participate in.”

Habib was awarded the Coach of the Tournament award, with mid fielder Travis Carter awarded the prestigious Player of the Tournament. “It was a fantastic award to achieve, with it being the best tournament of the African continent, but the main winner was seeing my boys develop into great footballers, and, most importantly, better men.”

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