Engen Champions In Africa 3on3 Challenge Lights Up V & A Waterfront!

Wednesday, 11 March 2009

Two action-packed days of spectacular football lit up the V&A Waterfront as sixteen U11 3-a-side football teams showcased their talent on a mini-football pitch, competing for the coveted title of Engen Champions in Africa 3-on-3 Challenge champion and the chance to win a full set of team kit.

Participating teams from the greater Cape Town Metropole were entered into a draw, as a means to select the African countries that they were to represent throughout the tournament. These African countries signified Engens footprint in Africa with the sixteenth country being Egypt, by virtue of their African Cup of Nations champions status.

Day one of the Engen Champions in Africa 3-on-3 Challenge was hotly contested from the first kick off, exhibiting high quality football and healthy competition among teams leaving the group standings tight and almost impossible to distinguish an outright favourite, with only one point separating the top 10 teams in their respective groups. Spirits were even higher on the final day, with Cape Towns tumultuous windy weather not deterring teams from giving their best and most of all, having fun.

In the end, Zambia, represented by Avendale Atletico, as leaders of Group A, faced South Africa, represented by Khayelitsha FC FK, as leaders of Group C in the first semi-final game. Burundi, represented by Juventus, and leading Group B took on leaders of Group D, Gabon, represented by Funky Rebels, in the second semi-final game.

South Africa showed blistering pace from the outset, firing two quick goals within minutes, leaving their opponents, Zambia with little room to settle down in the first semi-final. The game remained fast paced as both teams drove forward, attacking each others goal posts. A third goal for team South Africa sealed Zambias fate as they steered past their counterparts to reach the final.
The second semi-final game continued in the same vein as Gabon and Burundi went all out, both seeking their first goal. Gabon opened the scoring and this raised their confidence as they started to dominate more of the game play. Their determination was eventually rewarded when they scored their second goal that guaranteed them a place in the final.

The much-anticipated final of the Engen Champions in Africa 3-on-3 Challenge saw both South Africa and Gabon display exceptional skill that ensured them a place in the final, both determined not to give away any unnecessary penalties or fouls. Emotions ran high as time ran out and the contest between the two grew even tighter. However, Gabon finally broke the deadlock and scored a crucial goal to secure cup glory!

The Engen Dancers mesmerized spectators while football fans could also grab the opportunity to get an autograph from their favourite Engen Santos player and few members of The Peoples Team also showed off their skills on the mini-football pitch when they played a special curtain raiser before the final.

Whats more, spectators got in on the football action by testing their own skills on the mini-football pitch by assembling their own team to play 3-a-side fun games. Off the pitch, spectators were further spoiled with spot prizes handed out by the Master of Ceremonies and radio personality, Jeremy Harris, as well through the Engen Champions in Africa Challenge sms competition. Those who entered won instant prizes including vuvuzelas, t-shirts, water bottles, foam fingers, and many more. This fundraising drive forms part of the ongoing Engen Goals for Charity fundraising and awareness campaign, in aid of the Red Cross Childrens War Memorial Hospital.