City Pirates soccer club’s U17 team will represent Makana in the 2017 Engen Knockout Challenge, taking place in Port Elizabeth. The tournament takes place at the Glenville Celtic Sports Complex, from 7 to 9 July.
City Pirates booked their spot in the knockout challenge after winning the U17 2016 season of the Makana Local Football Association.
The Makana side has been drawn in Group 3, together with Saints, Zwide Pirates and Shinning Stars. City Pirates face Shinning Stars in their opening match, today at 1pm. They then taken on Saints at 3pm (also today). Tomorrow will see Pirates take on Zwide Pirates at 10.30am, with the play-offs scheduled to start at 1pm.
The tournament has helped unearth many Bafana Bafana players, including Ajax Amsterdam’s Thulani Serero and Supersport United’s Ronwen Williams and Thato Mokeke.
Engen Group Sponsorship Manager, Brad Bergh, said that the company was committed to showcasing and developing the next generation of potential football stars.
“The tournament has proved successful in helping many young hopefuls fulfil their football dreams. It will be interesting to see how many young talented players are identified this year and who may be scouted to take the next step up into the professional ranks of the sport,” Bergh said.
Scouts from clubs across South Africa and abroad, who over the years have been seen at the Engen Knockout Challenge tournaments looking to unearth the next star player, are again expected to be in attendance.
The winners of the regional Engen Knockout Challenge events will battle it out in the Engen Champ of Champs later in the year to determine the overall national champions.
The City Pirates squad is made up of Anele Hashe (Tlombuleh Secondary School), Athenkosi Jezi, Solulele Papu (both Mary Waters), Yamnkela Saul, Sandile Mali (both Nombulelo), Awonke Mantolo (Mary Waters), Thobela Zibi, Nkosinathi Mtombo (both Nombulelo), Viwe Ranuga (Ntsika), Asanele Nkatsha (East Cape Midlands College), Sibusiso Mabena (TEM Mrwetyana), Olwethu Kuhlane (Mary Waters), Siyadumisa Nketsheni, Simthembile Nkwinti (both Nombulelo), Liyema Elethu Magula (Graeme College) and Simamkele Ngindana (Nopmbulelo). Siyabonga Masinda is the team coach, and Akhona Heshu is team manager.
Read more on the Engen Knockout Challenge here:
http://www.grocotts.co.za/2017/07/07/teams-all-set-for-the-2017-engen-knockout-challenge-port-elizabeth/
