Seen Here: Toti Ladies celebrate lifting the 2026 Engen Knockout Challenge eThekwini Girls’ Under-20 trophy after defeating Durban Ladies 2-1 in a thrilling final. The champions now set their sights on the Engen Champ of Champs, carrying KwaZulu-Natal’s hopes onto the national stage as the next generation of football stars continues to rise. Photo Credit: Supplied
DURBAN – AmaZulu FC and Toti Ladies have been crowned champions of the 2026 Engen Knockout Challenge eThekwini, underlining why the prestigious youth football tournament continues to live up to its inspiring theme, “Where Diski Legends Start.”
Hosted at Kings Park Stadium on 11 and 12 July, the tournament brought together KwaZulu-Natal’s finest emerging football talent, with two days of exhilarating competition showcasing the future stars of South African football.
AmaZulu FC lifted the Boys’ Under-18 title after edging Trouble Tigers 1-0 in a fiercely contested final, while Toti Ladies claimed the Girls’ Under-20 championship with an impressive 2-1 victory over Durban Ladies.
The victories secure both teams coveted places in the Engen Champ of Champs, where regional champions from across South Africa will battle for national supremacy later this year in Johannesburg.
Youth football shines in KwaZulu-Natal
The eThekwini edition once again demonstrated the vital role the Engen Knockout Challenge plays in South African football development, offering talented young players an opportunity to compete at the highest level while showcasing their abilities to professional clubs, scouts and national team selectors.
Over the years, the tournament has produced some of South Africa’s biggest football stars, and this year’s competition once again highlighted the remarkable depth of talent emerging from grassroots football.
AmaZulu’s patience rewarded
For AmaZulu FC head coach Philani Shange, the championship was the culmination of months of careful planning, hard work and unwavering belief in his squad.
An emotional Shange praised his players for their resilience, discipline and determination throughout the tournament.
“This journey didn’t begin yesterday or today. It started at the beginning of the year with these boys. We prepared for this tournament from the start because it was our main objective. The players showed incredible hunger to become champions and displayed tremendous resilience throughout the competition.”
He said the victory reinforced the importance of investing in youth football.
“If you want to reach the highest level, your journey begins in grassroots football. The Engen Knockout Challenge provides exactly that platform where young players can grow, compete and realise their dreams.”
Toti Ladies continue to impress
Toti Ladies once again demonstrated why they are regarded among KwaZulu-Natal’s strongest youth women’s football teams.
Displaying composure, teamwork and attacking quality, they overcame Durban Ladies in an entertaining final to secure the provincial title and their place at the national finals.
Their triumph reflects the continued growth of women’s football in South Africa, with the Engen Knockout Challenge providing an important platform for the country’s next generation of female football stars.
Seen Here: AmaZulu FC celebrate their 2026 Engen Knockout Challenge eThekwini Boys’ Under-18 title after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Trouble Tigers at Kings Park Stadium. Their triumph secures a place at the prestigious Engen Champ of Champs, where the province’s finest young footballers will compete for national honours. Photo Credit: Supplied
Outstanding individual performances recognised
Several players produced exceptional performances over the two-day tournament and were recognised during the official awards ceremony.
Boys’ Individual Awards
- Player of the Tournament: Andile Ngobese (AmaZulu FC)
- Coach of the Tournament: Philani Shange (AmaZulu FC)
- Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Nhlanhla Khanyile (AmaZulu FC)
- Defender of the Tournament: Wandile Blose (Trouble Tigers)
- Midfielder of the Tournament: Andile Ngobese (AmaZulu FC)
- Striker of the Tournament: Luvuyo Mjwara (Durban City)
- Top Goal Scorer: Siphesihle Ngubane (AmaZulu FC)
- Fair Play Award: Rovers United
- Referee of the Tournament: Minenhle Shezi
Girls’ Individual Awards
- Player of the Tournament: Anita Dhlamini (Durban Ladies)
- Coach of the Tournament: Sanele Shezi (Toti Ladies)
- Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Sharon Nciki (Durban Ladies)
- Defender of the Tournament: Abongile Cele (DUT)
- Midfielder of the Tournament: Amello Hlonga (Ezemvelo)
- Striker of the Tournament: Anita Dhlamini (Durban Ladies)
- Top Goal Scorer: Anita Dhlamini (Durban Ladies)
- Fair Play Award: Toti Ladies
Road to the Champ of Champs
With the regional title secured, AmaZulu FC and Toti Ladies now shift their focus to the prestigious Engen Champ of Champs, where they will compete against South Africa’s best youth teams for national honours.
For more than two decades, the Engen Knockout Challenge has served as one of the country’s premier football development platforms, producing countless professional footballers, Bafana Bafana internationals and accomplished coaches.
This year’s eThekwini tournament once again proved that South Africa’s football future remains exceptionally bright.
As AmaZulu FC and Toti Ladies celebrate their well-earned provincial crowns, their next challenge awaits on the national stage—where new legends will continue to be born and where dreams of professional football move one step closer to reality.
