The junior women’s football team of the University of Johannesburg (UJ) played six games unbeaten in the 2024 Engen Knockout Challenge at Marks Park Sports grounds. Going into the tournament as defending champions, the youngsters won five of the six games, drawing 0-0 against Mamelodi Sundowns juniors in the final on Sunday, 7 July 2023.
The Orange Army (UJ) opened the tournament with a 3-0 win over Springs Home Sweepers, followed by a second 5-0 win over Panorama FC on Friday, 5 July 2024. On Day 2 of the tournament, the UJ women’s junior team continued their winning streak, beating Wits FC juniors and the University of Pretoria juniors 1-0, respectively.
On Day 3 of the tournament, UJ won their morning fixture against Wits in the semi-final (4-1 final score). They took on Mamelodi Sundowns juniors team in the final, both teams ending the match goalless. UJ lost the match 4-2 on penalties.
“The team performed really well, no faults whatsoever. We are proud of every single player for representing UJ well and showcasing what the UJ Football Club stands for on the field of play. The did not lose a match on the field throughout the tournament, that speaks volume of their performances, unfortunately we lost in a penalty shootout – it could have went either way. Well done to our girls,” said Coach Sibongile Sithole, the Head Coach of the UJ junior women’s team.
Speaking after their final match, Addrielle Mibe and Gugulethu Dhlamini said they were proud of the team for the way they played. “We will come back here again next year to win it. We know we are capable of doing great, we have won this championship in the past two consecutive years. For now, we go back to the training ground and perfect our play,” says Dhlamini.
At the end of the tournament, UJ’s Shannon Macomo and Dhlamini won the Defender of the Tournament and Striker of the Tournament Awards, respectively.
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