Empire Stars Crowned Champions at the Ekasi Diski Challenge U17 Tournament

Tshepiso Mogorosi
Oct 14
2 min read

The atmosphere at Ikageng Stadium was electric this past weekend as young football talent from across the region battled it out in the Ekasi Diski Challenge Under-17 Tournament, proudly sponsored by aQuelle. The tournament showcased thrilling football action, resilience, and sportsmanship, culminating in Empire Stars lifting the trophy after a dramatic final against Costa City.

Group Stage Drama

The tournament kicked off with fierce competition in both Stream A and Stream B.In Stream A, Costa City dominated early on with a 4–0 win over Junior Stars, while Empire Stars showed defensive strength, holding Prodigy to a goalless draw before progressing on penalties. Soccer Saints edged past La Masia, and Rising Stars overcame Vula Vala to secure their spots in the knockout rounds.

Stream B delivered its own excitement. KMV defeated Jordan Stars 2–1, while Roshnuville Young Tigers claimed a narrow 2–1 victory over Promosa Young Stars. TTSA also impressed with a convincing 2–0 win over Brave 11.

Quarterfinals and Semifinals

The knockout stages raised the stakes, with each team fighting for survival.In Stream A’s quarterfinals, Costa City advanced past Soccer Saints on penalties after a 1–1 draw (4–3 on spot-kicks), while Empire Stars edged Rising Stars 2–1 in a tactical encounter.Over in Stream B, TTSA stunned KMV with a 1–0 victory, and Roshnuville Young Tigers triumphed 3–2 in a five-goal thriller against Boikhutsong Young Tigers.

The semifinals saw Empire Stars assert their dominance with a 3–1 win over Roshnuville Young Tigers, while Costa City booked their final spot after a hard-fought 1–0 victory over TTSA.

Finals Day: Empire Reigns Supreme

The grand finale did not disappoint. Empire Stars and Costa City went head-to-head in a tense showdown that ended 1–1 after full time. The champions were ultimately decided by penalties, where Empire Stars held their nerve to win 4–2, sealing their place as Ekasi Diski Challenge U17 Champions.

In the third-place playoff, Roshnuville Young Tigers claimed the bronze medals after defeating TTSA 2–0.

Spirit of Development and Community

The tournament was more than just football, it was a celebration of youth development, community spirit, and local pride. Sponsored by aQuelle, the event provided young players with a platform to showcase their skills and dream big.

Tournament organizers praised the high level of play and discipline shown by the participants, noting the importance of initiatives like the Ekasi Diski Challenge in nurturing future football stars.