Young Sundowns Ladies Crowned Champ of Champs

SUNDOWNS LADIES CROWNED CHAMPIONS OF ENGEN CHAMP OF CHAMPS

Author: Erica Mathye

The Mamelodi Sundowns U20 Ladies are celebrating their second title of the season after winning the 2024 Engen Champ of Champs Girls division. They recently defeated Durban Ladies FC 1-0 in the final at Marks Park Sports Complex.

The Engen Champ of Champs and Engen Knockout Challenge has been instrumental in promoting grassroots football in South Africa for over twenty years. Incredibly, Banyana Ba Style finally lifted both trophies in their fourth year of participating in these competitions.

The Engen Champ of Champs is a culmination of the Engen Knockout Challenge, which involved the winners of provincial games competing for the boys’ and girls’ titles.

Having won the Engen Knockout Challenge few months ago, Sundowns Ladies were placed in Group A with Storm Ladies FC, Sisters FC, Ixias Ladies FC and Diamond FC. Masandawana topped the group with wins over Storm Ladies (3-0), Sisters FC (4-0), Ixias Ladies FC (1-0), and Diamond FC (2-0).

As Group A winners, Sundowns advanced to the semifinals and defeated Cape Town Roses 2-0. They remained undefeated throughout the tournament and ultimately won the final against Durban Ladies FC.

Head coach of the U20 squad, Andisiwe Mgcoyi, expressed her pride and gratitude following her team’s success. She praised her players for their excellent performance and thanked the Mamelodi Sundowns family for their support throughout the tournament.

“I want to thank the management of Mamelodi Sundowns for their extensive support of these young girls. Without them, we might not have reached this far in the competition. It was a challenging tournament, but we did our best with this group of young players.”

“My target for the Champ of Champs was to reach the final but I’m happy with the hard work and dedication of the girls. They gave it their all on the field. I’m very proud of them.”

Coach Andisiwe’s squad consists of many young players, some as young as 12. Her goal is to instill the Mamelodi Sundowns playing philosophy in them and help them develop into professional players for the club.

“Most members of our technical team have played overseas, so we’re trying to share that valuable experience with these players. We’re building a team of future professionals. Our goal is for them to continue the Sundowns Ladies’ legacy when we retire.”

Mamelodi Sundowns were among the big winners at the end-of-tournament ceremony, receiving three awards. Micheala Swartz was named Defender of the Tournament, Sphesihle Magazi was named Midfielder of the Tournament and Coach Andisiwe was named Coach of the Tournament. This is the second time Andisiwe has won the Coach of the Tournament award.

Upon their return of play in the league, the young group under coach Andisiwe picked up where they left off as they concluded their league season. The team that plays in the Tshwane Women’s Regional League finished top of the tally. Coach Andisiwe’s charges are now set to play in the inter-regional play-offs with the intention to get promoted to the Sasol Women’s League.

In more positive news for the Club, the Girls’ development team enjoyed a historic end to the season. Both the U16 and U14 teams wrapped up their 2024 Gauteng Women’s Development League campaigns as invincibles in their respective age groups. The U16 team secured 22 victories and two draws in 24 matches, conceding only five goals while scoring 99, lifting the silverware in style. The U14 team also finished unbeaten, winning 23 matches and drawing one, ending the season with a strong 70 points.

With so much pride, the Mamelodi Sundowns family would like to congratulate the team for being named the young champions in the country!

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