The Engen Champs of Champs titles remain with Gauteng’s finest after Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns were crowned the boys’ and girls’ champions on Sunday at the University of Pretoria Stadium (Tuks Stadium).
Coach David Mathebula’s Chiefs side has now won three titles in 2026.
Their outstanding run began with victory in the Gauteng Development League (GDL) Top 8 championship in March. The Phefeni Glamour Boys next defeated a highly motivated Kathorus Hyper Academy in the final of the Gauteng Engen Knockout Challenge.
On Sunday, Amakhosi made it three finals and three titles, outplaying EastHigh Boys Academy 3-0 in the Engen Champs of Champs final.
They reached the title game with a tight 1-0 victory over Antalyaspor JPM Cape Town in the semifinals. EastHigh Boys Academy, meanwhile, won their semifinal against Amazulu after a penalty shootout. Regulation time finished 1-1 before the Mpumalanga boys edged out their KwaZulu-Natal opponents 5-4 from the spot.
Chiefs’ dominance was reflected in the individual awards announced after the tournament. Tashiel Rugunanan was named the Defender of the Tournament, while Lebohang Dhlamini received the Midfielder of the Tournament award. Malibongwe Mtshali was recognised as the Striker of the Tournament and also the Player of the Tournament.
The Top Goalscorers Award went to the Kaizer Chiefs’ trio of Shaun Els, Dhlamini, and Tsheamo Mosana, who shared the accolade with Omphile Bokala of TenPont Academy.
EastHigh Boys Academy, the runner-up, received the Fair Play Team of the Tournament award, while their coach, Given Mathebela, was named the Coach of the Tournament.
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Antalyaspor’s Ayaan Jacobs was recognised as the Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
In the girls’ competition, the favourites, Mamelodi Sundowns, marched to the title with an unblemished record, following in the footsteps of the club’s 2024 team. Not only did Banyana Ba Style win every one of their six tournament matches, but they also didn’t concede a goal.
On Sunday, the Brazilians surged into the final with a decisive 3-0 semifinal victory over SuperStrikers. Their opposition in the title decider was RV United, who reached the big game after a slim 1-0 win over Ixias Ladies.
In the final, Sundowns continued their winning ways, scoring a comfortable 2-0 victory.
Their players also dominated the individual accolades. Sethabile Kwamwande received the Defender of the Tournament award, while Siphesihle Magazi was named the Midfielder of the Tournament, and Lebohang Buthane picked up the Striker of the Tournament honours.
Buthane enjoyed a superb tournament and added the Top Goal Scorer and Player of the Tournament awards to her impressive list of achievements.
Ixias Ladies received the Fair Play Award, while RV United’s Vuyolwethu Kayi was selected as the Coach of the Tournament. The Khayelitsha club’s Bilquies Salie was named the Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
RESULTS
Sunday, 4 October
Boys’ Competition
Semifinals
Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 Antalyaspor
EastHigh Boys Academy (5) 1-1 (4) AmaZulu
Bronze Playoff
Antalyaspor 2-0 AmaZulu
Final
Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 EastHigh Boys Academy
Girls’ Competition
Semifinals
Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 SuperStrikers
RV United 1-0 Ixias Ladies
Final
Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 RV United
