Seen Here: The stage is set, the groups are drawn, and the next generation of football stars is ready to shine! 🏆 From defending champions Kaizer Chiefs to Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, the 2026 Engen Champ of Champs promises three days of fierce competition, emerging talent and unforgettable football moments. From 2–4 October, young players will battle for glory — and a place in the story of South African football. The future of diski starts here. Photo Credit: Supplied
30 September 2026 — The stage is set for a weekend of high-intensity youth football after the draw for the 2026 Engen Champ of Champs was conducted at the University of Pretoria High-Performance Centre (HPC) on Tuesday, 29 September.
The tournament, scheduled for 2 to 4 October, will bring together some of South Africa’s promising young football talent across the Boys’ Under-18 and Girls’ Under-20 divisions, with the new Engen Champ of Champs trophy set to be lifted by the respective champions on Sunday.
The draw was attended by tournament ambassadors, Tshwane Regional Football Association leadership and key football stakeholders, adding further anticipation ahead of the competition.
The return of Kaizer Chiefs to defend their Boys’ Under-18 crown and the participation of Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in the Girls’ Under-20 division add further intrigue to a tournament built around the development of the next generation of football talent. Under the theme “Where Diski Legends Start,” the Engen Champ of Champs extends beyond match-day competition, providing a platform for players, coaches, referees and aspiring football administrators to develop their skills and gain exposure within the football ecosystem.
The tournament’s development programme will begin before the first whistle, with the popular Engen Champ of Champs workshops scheduled for 1 October at the TUKS HPC. Tournament ambassadors Thabo Senong, Brighton Mhlongo and Candice Chirwa will lead sessions designed to provide players and coaches with insights and lessons extending beyond the football pitch.
“While the competition remains at the heart of the tournament, equal importance is placed on the development opportunities that surround it,” said Engen Brand Sponsorship Manager Tsholo Tiro.
Tiro said the workshops would allow participants to learn from experienced professionals, while the introduction of the new trophy represented an exciting chapter in the tournament’s history.
Chiefs face challenging Boys’ Under-18 field
The Boys’ Under-18 competition features nine teams split across two groups, with defending champions Kaizer Chiefs FC drawn into a five-team Group A.
Group A: Tshepo Academy, EastHigh Boys Academy, TenPont Academy, Pixley Youth FC and Kaizer Chiefs FC.
Group B: Maria Louw High School, AmaZulu FC, Antalyaspor JPM and Dream Team Academy.
Chiefs will therefore have to navigate a competitive group as they seek to retain the title, while the other teams will be aiming to make their own mark and emerge as the next champions of the tournament.
Sundowns Ladies return for Girls’ Under-20 challenge
The Girls’ Under-20 division will also provide an intriguing contest, with Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies returning to the competition as part of a strong Group A.
Group A: Toti Ladies, IXIAS Ladies, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, Mafikeng Ladies FC and Royal Wizards FC.
Group B: RV United, SuperStrikers Ladies, City Lads Ladies and Sisters FC.
With five teams in Group A and four in Group B, the tournament promises a demanding test of consistency, tactical discipline and squad depth as the young players compete for a place in Sunday’s final.
With the new trophy unveiled and the groups confirmed, attention now turns to the pitch, where three days of competition will showcase emerging talent and reinforce the tournament’s role in developing South Africa’s football pipeline.
For the young players taking part, the weekend represents more than a chance to win silverware. It is an opportunity to learn, compete, gain exposure and take another step towards the professional game.
The next generation takes centre stage — and at the Engen Champ of Champs, this is where diski legends start.
