Chiefs Ladies to blood youth and strengthen their base at Engen KO Challenge

By Velile Mnyandu
15th July 2026

Kaizer Chiefs’ Ladies team will also play for the first time in the Engen Knockout tournament this weekend and they will use this opportunity to give a chance to their more youthful players in the team.

Chiefs’ Ladies head coach Unathi Mabena, speaking to SABC Sport yesterday after the draw, revealed that they will be fielding their players who are still in the U20 age category, since they only have one team. Chiefs were drawn in Group B alongside Mamelodi 11 Stars, Springs Home Sweepers, and Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). Mabena sees an opportunity to blood in young talent.

"Look, we looking to use the same team because we only have one team at the moment. So we do have a good couple of under 20 players that we will be using for this tournament. Like I said we are looking to just gain expereince in terms of tournament football because it's not the same. It's not the same type of teams we play against but it's also not the same type of approach in terms of league and tournament. So we are looking forward to it we are excited especially because it will be the first one KCL will partake in," said Mabena

READ: Banyana Banyana captain: The aim is to qualify for the World Cup

The Gauteng leg of the Engen Knockout Challenge, which will also feature the boys U18 tournament, takes place at Marks Park in Johannesburg from Friday until Sunday.

Interestingly, the draw has also seen Chiefs Ladies team paired with Springs Home Sweepers, and this is the club where they originate from after Amakhosi’s legend and former Banyana Bayana head coach Joseph “Skheshe” Mkhonza handed over the provincial status over his team to Chiefs. They have remained with the lower division teams, and Mabena says it’s going to be a very interesting match-up...

In their latest fixture programme, Chiefs play University of Johannesburg (UJ) tonight, they are currently fourth on the log with 27 points from 13 matches. UJ are just two points behind Chiefs, with a game in hand, but Mabena says they are happy with their progress so far.

Mabena also says they are enjoying the big support they have been getting from Amakhosi fans, irrespective of whether this is happening because it’s the pre-season for the men’s team.