Over three days of intense competition, the APAA participated in the first phase of qualification for the prestigious ENGEN U18 Challenge tournament taking place in 2025.
This phase featured 110 registered teams, divided into eight groups of four. Only the top team from each group qualified for the main tournament, which will be held in Gauteng this July.
APAA began the qualifiers with a thrilling penalty shootout victory over Dream Boys. As this stage was a knockout round, the team advanced to the group stage after their win.
In the group stage, APAA drew 1-1 against Jomo Cosmos, then went on to defeat Meadowlands Academy 1-0 and Napoli 2-0. With these results, and favourable outcomes from other matches, APAA topped their group—remaining unbeaten throughout the phase.
This secured their qualification for the main tournament on 20 July, to be held at Marx Park, Johannesburg.
It’s another proud moment for APAA to compete in this prestigious event, where PSL teams also automatically qualify.
Congratulations to our incredible players, dedicated coaching staff, supportive parents, and everyone who contributed to this achievement.
Let’s stay focused and continue preparing—this next tournament will be fiercely competitive. The players are motivated and ready to perform at their best.
We will keep you updated on all upcoming APAA events, including academy and development group news.
With our continued mission to develop players from an early age into exceptional athletes…
Keep enjoying the sport you love—football.
Your friend in sport,
Prof. Augusto Palacios
Director of APAA
