With one of Mzansi's most iconic junior tournaments currently in full swing, here's a look at some of the big names that graduated from the development competition and made their mark overseas, including Lyle Foster and Thulani Serero!
The Engen Knockout Challenge is celebrating 20 years since its inaugural season back in 2003 and it remains one of the country's most prestigious youth football competitions, as it has develop a whole host of past and present stars.
Some of the SA Premiership's most recognisable names also had their breakout in the tournament as teenagers, including SuperSport United veteran defender Thulani Hlatshwayo, Orlando Pirates duo Paseka Mako and Kermit Erasmus, as well as AmaZulu playmaker George Maluleke.
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However, the focus is on the players who currently ply their trade abroad after graduating for the Engen Knockout Challenge.
Lyle Foster
Having played in the in the junior cup in 2017 for the Orlando Pirates U-18s, Foster is now bound for a debut campaign in the Premier League after his side Burnley secured promotion from the English Championship in 2022/23. The striker joined Vincent Kompany's side in January this year after impressing for Belgian topflight outfit KVC Westerlo - where he bagged 13 goals and nine assist in 47 appearances for the club. The switch to England reportedly made the 22-year-old the Mzansi's most expensive transfer ever after The Clarets paid a sizeable €11 million (R228 million) fee to acquire the Johannesburg-born marksman just over six months ago. His first Premier League game of 2023/24 will be a tough clash against the reigning champions Manchester City, who demolished them 6-0 in their previous meeting in the FA Cup in March.
Thulani Serero
Serero is currently without a club following his recent departure from Al Jazira after four seasons with the United Arab Emirates team. Nicknamed 'Cream', the midfielder broke through the Engen tournament back in 2006 for Cape Town Spurs, who were known as Ajax Cape Town at the time. The now-33-year-old has hugely successful since leaving South Africa in 2011 to join Ajax Amsterdam. Since then, he has won a total of six trophies, including three Eredivisie titles and a Dutch Super Cup in the Netherlands, as well as two cups in the UAE.
Percy Tau
Perhaps one of the more popular inclusions is current Bafana Bafana and Al Ahly talisman Percy Tau, who graduated from the Engen Cup in 2011 with Mamelodi Sundowns. The forward has since gone on to feature for three teams in Belgium after he was signed by Brighton Hove Albion in 2018 and loaned out. 'The Lion of Judah' is the most successful player on this list, boasting an incredible 10 titles, including two CAF Champions Leagues with two different teams.
Luther Singh
FC Copenhagen winger Luther Singh was part of the 2014 generation, as he was one of the standout players for Stars of Africa seven years ago. The winger has since plied his trade in Sweden, Portugal, and Norway. His side stand a chance of playing in next season's UEFA Champions League, as they will play a crucial second qualifying round on 2 August, with the hopes booking a place in the group stages. While he missed out on a second Danish Champion title last term due to the fact that he was out on loan with Chaves in Portugal, he still boats a league crown from the 2021/22 campaign with Copenhagen.
Lebogang Phiri
The final inclusion in this star-studded alumni is Lebogang Phiri after he made his mark in the Engen Cup for Bidvest Wits in 2013. Phiri currently plays for Turkish top-tier side Caykur Rizespor after spending last season in France's Ligue 2 with Paris FC. The 28-year-old has represented Brondby IF in Denmark and made nearly 50 appearances in Ligue 1 for EA Guingamp. The playmaker remains contracted in Turkey until June 2024.
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