Chippa United and City Lads will represent the Eastern Cape at the Engen Champ of Champs national tournament in October.
The teams were crowned provincial champions at Dale College in Qonce on Sunday afternoon.
The Chilli Boys U18 side beat the Red Lions 2-0, courtesy of goals from Qhamani Gubevu and Nizaam Felix in the final, while the City Lads girls’ team dethroned defending champions Nav Galaxy 1-0.
The Gunners versus Galaxy game was the repeat of the 2024 U20 final, but this time, a penalty from Sikelelwa Siki Mhlanga helped the Nelson Mandela Bay outfit change their fortunes.
Chippa United U18 mentor Mtunzi Ngcingane, who last season handled goalkeeping coaching for the senior side, said they laid the blueprint in 2024 by introducing much younger players for the U18 team.
This was for them to gain experience in the competition. Chippa did not reach the final in 2024.
“We had a plan last year in the competition. That was to groom some players so they could familiarise themselves with the intensity of the tournament.
“As we all saw, that kind of worked in our favour. The boys were settled into their roles and understood the mission,” he said.
Ngcingane insisted they were not going to add numbers for the national tournament, which is likely to be held in Gauteng.
They will meet teams such as Cape Town City and other teams whose parent clubs are in the Betway Premiership.
Ngcingane said this was a chance for his boys to prove themselves against the best and possibly earn selection for the Chippa United Diski team.
The U18s have been used by Chippa as a pathway to the seniors in previous years, with Azola Matrose, Thulani Mini and Aviwe Mqokozo having come through the development ranks.
Josh Draghoender was the standout player in the 2025 provincial edition, claiming midfielder and player of the tournament.
For City Lads, coached by Lumka Mjana, Dineo Mke and Tembinkosi Hlela, there is no doubt some faces from their junior team will graduate to the seniors for the Hollywoodbets Super League this coming season.
Mhlanga is among the players to look out for after she was named defender and player of the tournament.
They were arguably the most consistent team in the girls’ tournament, chalking up three goals and more in all their matches leading to the final.
They can expect to possibly meet teams such as the University of Johannesburg, Cape Town Roses and Durban Ladies at the nationals.
Daily Dispatch
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