The female version and first edition of the Engen KnockOut 2021 U20 opened up with a bang, bringing together talented teams ready to display their skills – as semi-finals qualifiers Mighty City and Spurs WFC showed.
The event got underway today with provincial games in Cape Town and Durban until Sunday, while Johannesburg’s first leg is 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.
Our attention immediately fell towards two coaches who’ve been laying the foundation of ladies football – and who were happy to chat right after qualifying for their respective semi-finals.
Phumizile Bika, Coach and Founder of Mighty City
The mood at Mighty City was high – the team was celebrating their emphatic qualification to the next round, and players could barely contain themselves, joyously singing and laughing. Coach Phumzile Bika, too, was in high spirits.
“This is our first time competing in a proper tournament,” she said. “It was difficult, yes, as our team was a bit nervous because of that. But we managed to qualify and win our last game. So I’m looking forward to the next game against RV United.”
It hasn’t been an easy journey.
“We’ve been doing this for 10 years with lots of challenges like money and playing grounds.Most of our players are 15 year olds from Delft so they are doing really well. It just goes to show: Anything can happen in terms of how far we go. “
Winston Zeederberg, Coach of Spurs WFC
Spurs WFC, however, had just lost their last game against Invincibles Cravenby, fielding a smaller squad of only 13 due to financial constraints – but still managed to qualify. Speaking to coach Winston Zeederberg, there was a level of composure and concentration.
“I’ve been coaching Spurs WFC for six years,” he said. “We’ve made a lot of progress by bringing lots of players through the ranks. The fruits of that labour is that we can enter the Engen Knockout Challenge. And we have qualified for the semi-finals if my mathematics is correct.”
But getting to the Semi-finals is not what it’s all about. Development takes preference.
“I think Engen is doing a good job by providing such opportunities for players under 20. We are very happy to be here – and our aim is to at least get into the top three.”
Engen Knockout Challenge: What Next?
Both Zeederberg and Bika have faced significant challenges that could perhaps have been prevented – but both coaches remained hopeful due to the teams’ spirit and performances on the field of play. The fact that they’ve made it into the next round means they form part of the competition’s maiden qualifiers and all those things that could have held them back, fades away into the background.
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 has returned to the fields with force, after it was hosted virtually last year due to Covid-19 (naturally).
The event finishes today (Sunday 25 September 2021).
