Mhlongo urges Engen Champ of Champs players to enjoy their chance

Former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo has urged players taking part in the Engen Champ of Champs national finals to make the most of the experience, saying he still looks back on his own career believing he could have achieved more.

The Engen Sports Ambassador was speaking at Wednesday’s media draw, where the nine teams that won their provincial competitions were divided into two groups for the Under-18 boys’ and women’s tournament. The competition will progress to the knockout stages after the group matches.

Kaizer Chiefs, representing Gauteng, will play in Group A alongside Tshepo Academy, Eastern High Boys Academy, Tenpont FC and Pixley Youth FC.

Group B is headed by AmaZulu, the winners from the KwaZulu-Natal region. They will face Maria Louw High School, Antalyaspor JPM and Dream Team Academy.

Mhlongo said the tournament offered young players an opportunity to develop both on and off the field, while encouraging them to enjoy a stage he once occupied.

“At some point, I was one of the players that were sitting across, aspiring to become someone who serves with a purpose for the betterment of our football, I think we’re all driven by passion and without passion, we’re also driven by making sure that we create opportunities that will breed a good generation of good leaders,” he said at the draw, held at Athletics Club inside the University of Pretoria.

He also advised the participants not to become so focused on competition that they overlooked the importance of the occasion.

“I would like to encourage the players not to forget to enjoy the moment, because these are the moments that when you progress…till today I still look back and feel like ‘you could have done more’ so much as it is all about participation.

“I think it is always important also to make friends. Come here in this tournament, connect as much as you can, enjoy this moment, cherish it because we’ve seen in the PSL now, the age, I don’t know if it’s us who are getting older,” Mhlongo added.

The former Pirates goalkeeper said the relationships formed at youth level could continue throughout professional and international careers.

“The players now that are coming in, it’s the younger generation and you find that the person who was your opponent at the (Engen) Champs (of Champs) is now your teammate, whether at club or national level,” he said.

A number of established professionals previously competed in the tournament, including Ronwen Williams, Relebohile Mofokeng, Daine Klate, Thulani Serero, Percy Tau, George Maluleka, Lyle Foster, Mohau Nkota and Langelihle Phili.