AmaZulu U/19 celebrating their win at Moses Mabhida Sports Complex, yesterday.                       Picture: Lwazi Khuboni

Lwazi Khuboni

AmaZulu Football Club under 19 was crowned champions of the 2019 Engen Knockout Challenge, Durban leg at Moses Mabhida Sports complex yesterday.

AmaZulu managed to get a narrow 1-0 win over former champions, Royal Eagles and walked away with R20,000 prize money.  The hosts did not have a good start as they lost their opening match in group stages against Brazil Academy.

AmaZulu captain Olwethu Mzimela said, “losing the first game didn’t stop us from playing at our best throughout the tournament, we scored first and we relaxed and allowed them to come at us but that loss didn’t stop our dream of winning the tournament,” he said.

“Coach told us that we must remember what we are playing for, we are the host and it’s been 7 years since the team last won Engen Cup, it’s my last year also playing this tournament and there are new players we wanted to welcome them in a good way,” said Mzimela.

Amazulu is the second team to win the Engen knockout following Chippa United who won in Port Elizabeth. The team now have the opportunity to play in National finals against other regional winners.

AmaZulu manager  Belux Kasonga said, “ we now have to focus on provincials because it’s not going to be easy in Pretoria that side is another level, we have to prepare our team as much as we can for us to go with a strong squad and see what we get from there,’’ he said.

Usuthu Midfielder Msindisi Ndlovu was named player of the tournament and best midfielder of the competition, said he was happy with the outcome of the game.

“I’m very happy we won the tournament and also about the individual awards, it’s my first year at Amazulu and I wish to play for the first team at the Premier Soccer League one day,” he said.

Picture: Lwazi Khuboni