Seen Here: ⚽💗 Empowerment beyond the pitch. Menstrual health educator and activist Candice Chirwa creates an open, empowering space for young female footballers at the Engen Champ of Champs, helping them understand their bodies, challenge stigma and build confidence both on and off the field. Because developing future diski legends means developing informed, resilient and empowered young women. 🌟 Photo Credit: Supplied
PRETORIA, 2 OCTOBER 2026 — For young footballers chasing professional dreams, success is measured by much more than goals, trophies and performances on match day.
That message took centre stage at the 2026 Engen Champ of Champs, where talented young players and coaches were given an opportunity to learn some of the lessons that can shape their careers long after the final whistle.
Under this year’s theme, “Where Diski Legends Start”, Engen hosted a series of development workshops aimed at equipping participants with practical life skills, greater self-awareness and a broader understanding of what it takes to build a sustainable career in football.
The sessions were led by respected football figures and youth-development specialists, covering issues ranging from life after professional football and menstrual health to the holistic development of young players.
Seen Here: ⚽ Great players need great guidance. Engen Champ of Champs ambassador Thabo Senong shares valuable insights with coaches on holistic player development, emphasising age-appropriate coaching, problem-solving and creating environments where young footballers can learn, grow and thrive. Educated coaches develop better players. 🏆 Photo Credit: Supplied
Brighton Mhlongo: Prepare for life beyond football
Former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo drew on his own experience to deliver one of the workshop’s most important lessons.
Mhlongo’s professional playing career was cut short by a serious eye injury, forcing him to confront life beyond football sooner than expected. Instead of walking away from the game, however, he reinvented himself and continued to build a career within the sport.
His story provided the young players with a powerful reminder that football careers can change suddenly — and that preparing for what comes next should begin long before retirement.
“Don’t wait for the final whistle to find yourself. Start building your second career today,” Mhlongo told the young athletes.
His message centred on three principles: play for the long game, use education as a game changer on and off the field, and start building your personal brand early.
For ambitious youngsters dreaming of professional football, the lesson was clear: talent may open the door, but preparation can determine what happens after it.
Seen Here: ⚽ Preparing for the game — and life beyond it. Former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo challenged young footballers at the Engen Champ of Champs to think beyond the final whistle, embrace education and start building their futures from today. Talent can open the door; preparation keeps you ready for what comes next. 🏆 Photo Credit: Supplied
Challenging the stigma around menstrual health
For the tournament’s female players, menstrual health educator and activist Candice Chirwa returned with her Know Your Flo workshop, creating an open and practical discussion around menstruation and the menstrual cycle.
The session encouraged young footballers to understand their bodies better and to view menstruation as a normal biological process rather than something that should be surrounded by embarrassment or stigma.
Chirwa also challenged the misconception that being on a period automatically means an athlete should stop participating in sport.
Instead, players were encouraged to listen to their bodies, understand how their cycles may affect them and make appropriate adjustments where necessary, while recognising the potential benefits of movement and physical activity for overall wellbeing.
For young athletes balancing performance with physical development, the conversation reinforced the importance of knowledge, confidence and self-care.
Seen Here: ⚽ Knowledge. Leadership. Development. One team behind the next generation. Coaches gathered at the University of Pretoria alongside Engen ambassadors and respected coach Thabo Senong, sharing insights and learning valuable lessons on nurturing young footballers on and off the pitch. Because where diski legends start, great coaching matters. 🏆 Photo Credit: Supplied
Developing the complete footballer
While players were receiving lessons about their own development, coaches were challenged to examine their responsibility in shaping the next generation.
Former national youth coach Thabo Senong led a workshop focused on creating environments in which young footballers can develop not only technically, but also tactically, physically and mentally.
His approach emphasised age-appropriate coaching, player-centred development, problem-solving and learning through play and guided discovery.
Senong also stressed that development cannot stop with the players.
“Educated coaches develop better players,” he said.
The message is particularly relevant in youth football, where coaches have a significant influence on how young athletes understand the game, respond to challenges and develop their confidence.
Building more than footballers
The workshops reinforced a central principle behind the Engen Champ of Champs: developing future stars requires investment in the person as much as the player.
From understanding life after football to having informed conversations about health and wellbeing, the programme gave participants tools that can remain valuable regardless of how their sporting careers unfold.
It also broadened the meaning of the tournament’s signature theme.
“Where Diski Legends Start” is not simply about identifying the next goal scorer or goalkeeper. It is about creating an environment in which young footballers can develop the resilience, knowledge, discipline and character required to navigate both sport and life.
As the action continues on the field, the lessons shared in the workshops are likely to endure well beyond the final whistle.
Because future legends are not only made through what they do with the ball — they are shaped by what they learn when the ball is no longer at their feet.
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