The teams were deadlocked at 0-0 after 90 minutes.

In a tense and tactical final Virginia and Brebner battled hard in front of a packed stadium. Both teams played attractive, attacking football with the players chasing every ball and hounding their opponents at every opportunity in order to gain the advantage.

The penalty shoot-out provided moments of brilliance and despair. After missing their opening penalty, Brebner were given a stay of execution when Virginia Sports Academy missed their third penalty.

The reprieve was spurned as the Virginia goalkeeper saved the crucial Brebner penalty. Virginia then scored their penultimate penalty to clinch the Engen Knockout Challenge Bloemfontein championship to secure their place in the 2017 Engen Champ of Champs.

Over an action-packed weekend, 16 of the best youth teams in Bloemfontein and surrounding areas contested the 2017 Engen Knockout Challenge.

In the first semi-final Brebner beat THS Louis Botha 2-1. In the second semi-final, Virginia faced Bloemfontein Celtic, with a penalty by the Virginia captain Sechaba Mokoena sealing his team's place in the final.

Mokoena was named both the 2017 Engen Knockout Challenge Bloemfontein “Defender of the Tournament” and “Player of the Tournament”. He also won a one-year endorsement from Engen Knockout Challenge technical partners Umbro.

Speaking after the final, the tournament’s convenor of selectors, Duncan Crowie, commended the players for the fine football on display over the three days.

“We witnessed some great football this past weekend, with scouts from professional clubs and agencies as far as Johannesburg were present, which is a clear indication of the status of this tournament,” said Crowie.

“I trust that the Engen Knockout Challenge will again launch the professional football careers of many of these budding talents,” added the former Santos and Bafana Bafana legend.

The other individual award winners were:

• Referee of the Tournament – Lehlohonolo Mahlatsi
• Best Goalkeeper – Lerato Rauthimo of Brebner, his second successive award at the Engen Knockout Challenge
• Best Defender – Sechaba Mokoena of Virginia Sports Academy
• Best Midfielder – Thabang Thoabala of Bloemfontein Celtic
• Best Striker – Kutlwano Ntholeng of Brebner
• Coach of the Tournament – Pitso Mokoena of Virginia Sports Academy
• Fairplay Team of the Tournament – Navalsig High School
• Top Goalscorer of the Tournament – Thabo Ditlamini of Thotagauta
• Player of the Tournament – Sechaba Mokoena of Virginia Sports Academy
• Umbro Award - 1 Year Endorsement - Sechaba Mokoena of Virginia Sports Academy

Engen’s Group Sponsorship Manager, Brad Bergh congratulated Virginia Sports Academy on winning the Engen Knockout Challenge Bloemfontein.

“Both teams played exciting, entertaining football in the final and I am delighted to announce that Virginia Sports Academy will represent Bloemfontein in the Engen Champ of Champs later this year,” said Bergh.

Virginia Sports Academy will join fellow regional winners Old Mutual Academy (Cape Town), Durban FC and Shining Stars (Port Elizabeth) at the Engen Champ of Champs later in the year to determine the overall national champions. They will also be joined by the winners of the Johannesburg leg of the tournament.

“Engen is proud to be a part of the development of these young future football stars, further contributing to the realisation of their dream of being signed professionally,” added Bergh.