Three days of all-out Gauteng Engen Knockout Challenge football concluded at Wits Mark Park in Johannesburg on Sunday, with Kaizer Chiefs winning the boys’ title and Mamelodi Sundowns lifting the girls’ trophy.
Beaten 2-0 by Panorama in the 2025 final, Kaizer Chiefs went one step further on this occasion, defeating Kathorus Hyper Academy 2-0 in the title decider.
Tashiel Rugunanan netted for Chiefs in the first half, and Tsheamo Mosana took advantage of a mistake by the Kathorus’ goalkeeper in the second half to double the Amakhosi‘s lead. It ended 2-0.
With the Gauteng title secured, Kaizer Chiefs will next set their sights on the Engen Champs of Champs later this year, hoping to add a third title to their list of accomplishments in 2026.
Earlier this year, they claimed the Gauteng Development League (GDL) Top 8 crown. They also currently lead the GDL’s u19 division, which returns next week after a mid-year break, meaning they’re in the running to win four competitions in 2026.
The Phefeni Glamour Boys were made to sweat in their semifinal by Randburg. The sides shared a 1-1 draw in regulation time, but Chiefs then held their nerve to advance 3-1 in a penalty shootout.
Despite falling short at the final hurdle, the Gauteng Engen Knockout Challenge was a triumph for Kathorus Hyper Academy. Booking a place in the semifinals was already an impressive achievement, and then beating Mamelodi Sundowns to secure a place in the title game took their campaign to the next level.
Many believed they had little chance to beat the mighty ‘Downs, but Kathorus held firm, leading to a penalty shootout after a scoreless draw in regulation time. They took the win from the spot by a narrow 3-2 margin to eliminate the fancied Pretoria powerhouse.
In the girls’ final, Mamelodi Sundowns recorded a 2-0 victory over the defending Engen Champs of Champs winner, the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
Both of Banyana Ba Style‘s goals were scored in the first half. Lebogang Buthane opened the scoring, and Jabulile Mbatha slotted Sundowns’ second.
Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns will join AmaZulu and Toti Ladies, who won the KZN Engen Knockout Challenge last weekend, at the Engen Champs of Champs, which will be played in Pretoria from 1-4 October. Other provinces have yet to crown their champions.
In the boys’ playoff for third, Mamelodi Sundowns beat Randburg 2-0.
Kaizer Chiefs Ladies took bronze in the girls’ event after a 3-1 win over Mamelodi XI Stars.
Earlier, in the semifinals, Sundowns beat Chiefs Ladies 1-0, while UJ advanced to the final with a 3-1 win over Mamelodi XI Stars.
RESULTS
Sunday, 19 July
Boys’ Competition
Semifinals
Kathorus (3) 0-0 (2) Mamelodi Sundowns
Kaizer Chiefs (3) 1-1 (1) Randburg
Bronze Playoff
Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 Randburg
Final
Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 Kathorus Hyper Academy
Girls’ Competition
Semifinals
Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 Kaizer Chiefs Ladies
UJ 3-1 Mamelodi XI Stars
Bronze Playoff
Kaizer Chiefs 3-1 Mamelodi XI Stars
Final
Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 UJ
