Bayview United opened their Engen Knockout Challenge 2021 in Langa with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Wanderers FC today, and if there is one player who stood out it must be Zodi Apollis.
The no-nonsense central defender, who kept a good balance between leadership and calmness, played a key role to ensure that the Mitchell’s Plain-based Bayview stood firm and take home the much-needed three points against the hosts in Group A.
“The way I play comes with the experience I have gained for playing at higher level Playing soccer has become second nature,” Apollis commented after the game, adding that as the team they have prepared well for the Under 19 event, and that they want to go as far as they can without setting goals that might limit them.
Appollis appears to be a commanding leader who never pulls out of a tackle, but also has the technical ability and intelligence to see a pass, steering the ship from a centre back position and ultimately keeping the team together.
Bayview United head coach, Mark Rodrigues, believes that Zodi has a great potential and the fact that he is already playing in the SAFA Cape Town Regional Third Division League gives him the edge when playing within his own age group.
“Zodi joined our club as a Third Division League player who has previously played for Hellenic and FC Kapstadt. So he is a player with great potential and experience. A player to look out for and watch, definitely.”
The Engen Knockout Challenge, which is contested by Under 19 teams around the country, is seen as one of the most prestigious youth development football tournaments in South Africa. The tournament returns to the fields after it was hosted virtual last year due to Covid-19.
The event got underway today with provincial games in Cape Town and Durban until Sunday, while Johannesburg’s first leg scheduled to take place from 1 to 3 October 2021. It will culminate with the Champ of Champs finale from 7-9 October 2021 in Johannesburg.
Below are all the results of the Cape Town leg that took place today:
Helderberg Rovers 2 D&G Orient 3; Cape Town City 3 Rebels FC 1; Hellenic FC 0 Jomos Power 0; Stellenbosch FC 2 Valhalla United 0; Cape Town Spurs 5 Langa United 1; Wanderers FC 0 Bayview FC 1; Hout Bay United FC 2 Greenwood Athletic 3; Ubuntu Football 1 SSS Academy 1.
The event continues tomorrow.
