Amakhosi’s U18 team performed with distinction over the weekend to win the Gauteng leg of the 2026 Engen Knockout Challenge after beating Kathorus Hyper Academy 2-0 in the final at Marks Park in Johannesburg on Sunday. 

The two teams had met in Group A on Saturday, playing to 0-0 draw, but in the final, Chiefs showed their superiority when it really counted. 

Under the expert tutelage of Tshidiso Letsholonyane and David Mathebula, Chiefs qualified for the quarterfinals by finishing second in their group, albeit only on goals scored. 

Amakhosi’s players displayed admirable determination and composure to negotiate their way through two penalty shootouts, to reach the final, first overcoming Highlands Park 4-2, following a goalless draw, and then, thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper, Keabetswe Morake, defeating Randburg FC 3-1 after the teams ended their semifinal level at 1-1. 

At the conclusion of the event, several Chiefs players were recognised for their performances at the awards ceremony. Morake received the Goalkeeper of the Tournament accolade, while Tashiel Rugannan took the Defender of the Tournament prize, as well as the Player of the Tournament award. And Tsheamo Mosana was voted Striker of the Tournament. 

In addition to the R30 000 prize money and trophy, the victory will see Kaizer Chiefs represent Gauteng at the Engen Champ of Champs tournament, involving the nine provincial winners, at the TUKS High Performance Centre in Pretoria from 1-4 October, to determine the national Engen Knockout champions, where they will aim to emulate the Chiefs team that won the 2024 edition. 

In the Ladies’ competition, Chiefs fell narrowly short in the semifinals but bounced back to beat Mamelodi XI Stars to take third place.

Striker Lumka Qhekeka finished the tournament as top scorer which earned her the Striker of the Tournament award.