Latest news with #EngenChampofChamps
IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Bafana Bafana international Lebogang Phiri shares his views on youth development
As a former participant turned professional, Lebogang Phiri's return to the tournament reinforces the 2025 theme 'It's Your Moment, Future Diski Legends', encouraging current players to seize the opportunity in front of them. Image: Supplied Day One of the 2025 Engen Knockout Challenge Gauteng leg kicked off today at Wits Marks Park Sports Ground, with top under-18 boys' and under-20 girls' teams beginning their journey toward provincial glory and a place in the Engen Champ of Champs. Among those in attendance was French-based Bafana Bafana midfielder and Engen Knockout Challenge graduate Lebogang Phiri, who spent the day engaging with players, watching matches, and reflecting on the impact of the tournament. 'This is not just another youth tournament, I don't think people always realise the gravity of it,' said Phiri. 'Tournaments like the Engen Knockout Challenge are where you get the next top talents and future big-name players. It's where players learn to handle pressure, build big-match temperament, and get exposed to the type of support and attention that prepares them for the next level. If a young player approaches this platform with the right mindset, it can change their career.' Reflecting further, Phiri noted that the intensity and competitiveness of the tournament also bring valuable lessons beyond the pitch. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'The pressure is high, and the expectations are real, and because of that, players learn respect, discipline, and great sportsmanship. These are qualities you don't always get from just training or league matches. This kind of environment shapes you in every way as a footballer.' As a former participant turned professional, Phiri's return to the tournament reinforces the 2025 theme 'It's Your Moment, Future Diski Legends', encouraging current players to seize the opportunity in front of them. With a strong turnout of supporters, tightly contested matches, and growing excitement on the ground, the opening day sets the tone for a thrilling weekend ahead. The Gauteng leg continues through to Sunday, 20 July, with provincial champions set to be crowned and earn the honour of representing the province at the prestigious Engen Champ of Champs
The Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Bafana Bafana international Lebogang Phiri shares his views on youth development
Staff Reporter | Published 34 minutes ago Day One of the 2025 Engen Knockout Challenge Gauteng leg kicked off today at Wits Marks Park Sports Ground, with top under-18 boys' and under-20 girls' teams beginning their journey toward provincial glory and a place in the Engen Champ of Champs. Among those in attendance was French-based Bafana Bafana midfielder and Engen Knockout Challenge graduate Lebogang Phiri, who spent the day engaging with players, watching matches, and reflecting on the impact of the tournament. 'This is not just another youth tournament, I don't think people always realise the gravity of it,' said Phiri. 'Tournaments like the Engen Knockout Challenge are where you get the next top talents and future big-name players. It's where players learn to handle pressure, build big-match temperament, and get exposed to the type of support and attention that prepares them for the next level. If a young player approaches this platform with the right mindset, it can change their career.' Reflecting further, Phiri noted that the intensity and competitiveness of the tournament also bring valuable lessons beyond the pitch. 'The pressure is high, and the expectations are real, and because of that, players learn respect, discipline, and great sportsmanship. These are qualities you don't always get from just training or league matches. This kind of environment shapes you in every way as a footballer.' As a former participant turned professional, Phiri's return to the tournament reinforces the 2025 theme 'It's Your Moment, Future Diski Legends' , encouraging current players to seize the opportunity in front of them. With a strong turnout of supporters, tightly contested matches, and growing excitement on the ground, the opening day sets the tone for a thrilling weekend ahead. The Gauteng leg continues through to Sunday, 20 July, with provincial champions set to be crowned and earn the honour of representing the province at the prestigious Engen Champ of Champs
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Draw revealed for 2025 Engen Knockout Challenge in Gauteng
The draw for the 2025 Engen Knockout Challenge Gauteng leg took place at Wits Sturrock Park in Johannesburg on 15 July. Defending champions Kaizer Chiefs (boys) and Mamelodi Sundowns (girls) return to defend their titles. Photo: Supplied Image: Supplied The official draw for the Gauteng leg of the 2025 Engen Knockout Challenge took place this past Tuesday at Wits Sturrock Park in Johannesburg. Top Under-18 boys and Under-20 girls teams will compete for provincial honours and a place at the Engen Champ of Champs, which is scheduled for early October at the High-Performance Centre in Pretoria. Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns return as defending champions in the boys and girls categories, respectively, and will be looking to hold on to their titles in what is expected to be a competitive and exciting weekend of youth football. Engen Brand and Sponsorship Manager Tsholo Tiro emphasised the importance of the tournament for youth development: 'The Engen Knockout Challenge continues to be a platform that allows us to make a real difference in the lives of young people. "Our goal is to support development both on and off the field by giving young players, coaches, referees, and administrators the chance to grow." 'This year's theme, 'It's Your Moment, Future Diski Legends', is a call to young people to believe in themselves and capitalise on the opportunity the tournament provides. We've seen many alumni of the tournament go on to become legends of the game, and so this year we encourage aspiring football stars to write their own stories in the rich tapestry of the Engen Knockout Challenge. 'Beyond the playing field, we're also proud to provide a platform for our inaugural 2024 Sportscaster, Princess Mobeng, to continue learning and growing in sports journalism. 'Our strategic partnership with Qrate continues to go from strength to strength, helping to educate and empower young women beyond the football field.' The Gauteng play-offs will take place this weekend at the Wits Marks Park Sports Ground, where teams will battle for a chance to represent the province on the national stage. Fifa talent coach and tournament ambassador Thabo Senong praised the high standard of football seen across the provinces. 'This year's tournament has shown just how much talent there is in South African youth football. The level has been high across all provinces,' said Senong. 'What I appreciate most is the theme, 'It's Your Moment, Future Diski Legends.' It's not just a message; it's something the players are really taking to heart. You can see it in how they play with purpose and belief.' 2025 Engen Knockout Challenge Gauteng Draw Outcome: Girls' Draw Group A: Randburg FC, SAFA Academy, FC Rayacon, Joburg United Ladies Group B: Mito Stars Ladies, Kempton Park Ladies, Wits University, JVW Group C: University of Johannesburg, Blue Birds Ladies, Mamelodi Sundowns, University of Pretoria Group D: Diepkloof Ladies, Future Stars, Thembalethu FC, Panorama Ladies Boys' Draw Group A: APPA, TS Galaxy, Kaizer Chiefs, Joburg City Group B: Florida Albion, Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United, Panorama FC Group C: Mamelodi Sundowns, SAFA Transnet School of Excellence, Randburg AFC, Katlehong Hyper Academy Group D: Wits University, Highlands Park, University of Pretoria, RESA
