Engen Knockout Challenge organisers, Wanderers Football Club, are pleased that the South African Football Association (SAFA) has, at last, granted them permission to host this year’s event.

The Engen Knockout Challenge is one of the most prestigious youth development football tournaments in South Africa, contested by Under18 teams around the country. This year’s edition was initially scheduled to kick off on 27 April with play-offs, with the main tournament meant to take place from 23 to 25 June. 

But days before the event, SAFA announced that the Engen KO Challenge had not been sanctioned by the football body, and that organisers had been running it privately. A meeting was scheduled to address the matter.

And this week, newly-appointed SAFA Chief Executive Officer Lydia Monyepao informed regions and provinces that the tournament could go ahead under certain conditions: 

• That the SAFA regions should have 50% representation in the LOC (local organising committee) of the tournament this year;
• That a Memorandum of Understanding outlining roles and responsibilities between Engen and SAFA would be drafted and signed for future tournaments, starting with the 2024 tournament; and 
• That SAFA and Engen would have regular engagements regarding the tournament.

“We are requesting that SAFA members work together with Engen to ensure the successful hosting of this tournament,” Monyepao said.

Tournament Director Eric Gum welcomed the decision.

“I’m pleased that, for the sake of football and the players and the football lovers who have been waiting, that there is a way forward,” he said.  “What was frustrating to people was the lack of communication and guidance that was meant to be provided, which was not forthcoming. What is important now is to plan the best way forward and make a success of this year’s tournament.”

Gum said that in the past years, they had a great working relationship with SAFA, with some Regional Executive Committee members part of the tournament. 

“We expect to do even better this time for the good of football. For me, football must always be the winner.”

The Engen Knockout Challenge has been running for 20 years, and is one of the most popular tournaments in the grassroots football calendar, with regional tournaments in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. It is the fourth year that Wanderers are involved in the organisation of the event, with CR Vasco and Santos the previous organisers.

Gum said the hosting of the event by a township club at the amateur level (Wanderers FC), seeing the tournament spreading to other clubs all across the Western Cape and not being for the select few, as well as the introduction of the female section in 2021 are among the many highlights of Engen Tournament…so far.

Over 200 clubs have applied to participate in this year’s event. The regional winners play each other in the national tournament, and national winners are sometimes given an opportunity to travel abroad.

Cape Town City is the reigning regional champion for the men’s section of Cape Town, with Cape Town Roses the holders for the women’s section. But anything can happen in this clash of champions. Stay tuned for more.