The Northern Cape-based women’s football powerhouse club Richmond United FC will be gunning for this year’s Engen Champ of Champs’ national crown. The team is making its second appearance along with the Botshabelo-based Napoli FC, representing the Free State.
The two women’s teams debuted in last year’s edition of the competition which features 18 clubs, nine men and nine women. Most of the teams will make their second appearance.
The tournament for U18 players is a partnership between Engen and the South African Football Association (Safa).
The Northern Cape side have the edge of experienced players who already played in the competitive Hollywoodbets Super League rank.
Napoli, who campaigns in the lower rank, the Safa Promotion League, was knocked out early in last year’s edition.
The Virginia Sport Academy from the Free State will make their ninth appearance in the boys’ national final section, having last featured in 2018. The academy is yet to win the national title, despite holding the record in reaching the Champ of Champs national finals. They secured a place in this year’s national final after beating Junior Birds 4 – 2 in the provincial final held at the end of August.
The 18 clubs’ battle for the trophy will begin on 30 September, culminating with the crowing of the new champions in the respective categories on 2 October. The matches will take place at Marks Park in Johannesburg.
In the girls’ division, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) will have a shot at defending their title. A new national champion is set to be crowned in the boys’ division after last season’s winners, Kaizer Chiefs, failed to defend their Engen Knockout Challenge title in July.
