SuperSport United were crowned the inaugural Under 17 Engen Champ of Champs after beating Bidvest Wits 1-0 at Soweto’s Nike Centre On Sunday afternoon.
A second half strike by Zama Rambuweni was enough to hand United the trophy and the R15 000 cheque after a goalless first half.
Both teams played good football in the first half but towards the break, the Students were the better side with good movement and possession.
However, in the second half, Amatsantsantsa came back with purpose as they converted their first opportunity after just five minutes of play.
The day kicked off with a clash between AmaZulu and Port Elizabeth Sundowns to determine position number five and six.
Both sides played entertaining football and the final score was 1-1 and the final outcome had to be determined through penalty shootouts and Usuthu won 3-1.
The second encounter of the day which was the first semi-final between SuperSport and the Free State representatives, Harmony Sports Academy, saw the young Amatsantsa A Pitori claim the spoils by 6-0.
In the other game, the young Students, Bidvest Wits, beat Cape Town side Africa Sports Development 3-0 to book their ticket to the final.
Prior to the highly anticipated final match of the tournament, ASD met Harmony and the game produced fireworks as Harmony came out firing following their loss to United earlier in the day, and they walloped ASD by 4-1.
The tournament’s scouting department headed by former Cape Town Santos and Bafana Bafana legend, Duncan Crowie spotted several star performers.
According to him and the tournament organisers, a selected youngster was set to get an opportunity to be selected as a ‘player of the tournament’ and Amatsantsantsa’s midfielder, Nelson Maluleke, was chosen as the tournament’s leading goalscorer with 12 goals and the player of the tournament respectively.
The national U17 player will get an opportunity to join a select group of youngsters from SuperSport United FC for an international training experience with a top football club.
Wits goalkeeper, Sanele Tshabalala, also caught the eye of Crowie following some outstanding games between the poles and claimed the award for best keeper.
-ENDS-
Issued on 12 October 2014 by: Openfield on behalf of Engen Petroleum
For more information Mark Meyer
073 269 4727
021 448 7777
mark@openfield.co.za
For host club info contact: Koketso Gaofetoge
073 400 2450
Koketso.gaofetoge@supersport.com