Chilli Boys

THE Chilli Boys are eager to retain their title in the  Engen  U18 Knockout Challenge which is set to kick off at the Gelvandale fields next week.

This year’s tournament will deviate from the norm by including U18s in the set-up in an attempt to track progress and maintain continuity.

Tournament director Victor Burton said: “We have been working closely with the Local Football Associations [LFA] to make sure that we get the best teams from the region.

“The move from U17 to U18 will mean we have stronger boys and better competition.

“We are looking forward to seeing how the newcomers compete against the bigger teams.

“We hope at least three boys get scouted from the competition and put Nelson Mandela Bay and the Eastern Cape on the map.”

Nelson Mandela Bay Safa president Simphiwe Mkhangelwa said: “The changes will help us determine whether or not the players are nurtured and developed accordingly.

“We also hope to assess the improvement of the players,” he said.

“We particularly hope to see more goals in the competition or tightly contested matches.

“We have invested a lot in coaching because we are serious about the development of football and moulding young players’ talent.”

New arrivals to the competition, Friendly City, Young Ideas and Fast XI, will be looking to make their mark against the bigger teams.

The Chilli Boys are eager to get things under way as they have been preparing for the contest.

U17 coach Siyabulela Gwambi said: “We have been preparing since last year, when we got back from the Champ of Champs competition.

“Our boys play in the senior league regardless of being under 18. We have basically been preparing throughout the year. This is why we have been defending the competition for two years now.

“Our mission is to now maintain the standard of football we have shown in defending our title.”

The three-day tournament will end with an awards ceremony.

Fixtures: