Final day at the 2023 Engen Knockout Challenge in Cape Town promises to deliver an exciting and action packed day in Rooikraans, Grassy Park.
Saturday was the day where final group matches were played and log positions were determined, separating the winners finalists from the rest. Both Ladies and boys sections were well contested and if the quarterfinals are anything to go, we’re in for a humdinger of a final day.
Highlights of Saturday included the Cape Town Spurs team having the dreaded task of overcoming a must win final group game to make it to the winners section. Their opponents HBUFC started the day being 2nd in the group after winning Rygersdal and FC Porto in the first 2 rounds.
Spurs found their form in the 2nd half of the match and managed to score 4 goals against a helpless HBUFC side, ensuring the Spurs side their spot in the quarterfinals.
Ladies defending champions, CT Roses ended 2nd in their group after losing 2-0 to former champions, RV United. Roses did however make light work of Hotspurs in the quarterfinal winning the Mitchells Plain side by 9 goals to 1, ensuring their semi final spot for the Sunday.
The match of the day was clearly the battle between old foes, Cape Town Spurs and Cape Town City. A high intensity match delivered good value entertainment with both sides unable to secure a win in regulation time (1-1) and having to settle the score via a penalty shootout, Spurs the victors after sudden death winning 7-6.
Rygersdal and Hellenic settled their CTTFA derby quarterfinal with a 1-0 win to Rygersdal and booking their spot in the semis against Ubuntu who beat Eyethu 5-0 in their quarterfinal match.
So, the semis are booked for an early 9am kickoff with the boys section having Rygersdal facing Ubuntu and Cape Town Spurs facing Stellenbosch. Ladies section sees defending champs CT Roses face newbies Salt River Blackpool and RV United against Dangerous heroes.
No doubt all eyes will be on the Spurs vs Stellies semi and RV United vs Dangerous Heroes.
Whichever teams make it to the finals, it will be an achievement in itself and the promise of delivering a well-deserved representative for the CT region at the national event in JHB.