The record books will show that Antalyaspor JPM Cape Town finished third on the podium at the Engen Knockout Challenge Champ of Champs, and for that they deserve immense credit.
Coach Gareth Ncaca’s side secured the bronze medal after defeating AmaZulu 2-0 in the third-place playoff at the prestigious Under-18 national tournament held at the University of Pretoria’s High Performance Centre over the weekend.
It was also a proud moment for Antalyaspor goalkeeper Ayaan Jacobs, who walked away with the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award. However, that was perhaps the only silver lining for Ncaca in his first appearance at this national spectacle after guiding the club to its maiden Cape Town Engen Knockout Challenge title in 2026.
To truly appreciate Antalyaspor’s achievement, one has to understand what the team endured leading up to their semi-final clash against Kaizer Chiefs.
Bear in mind that Chiefs stayed at the same hotel as all the participating teams. It is understood that Chiefs departed the hotel at around 7am and boarded a bus that was waiting for them. Antalyaspor, who were reportedly ready by 6:30am, were allegedly informed by the driver that the bus would return to collect them – It never did.
Fortunately, Antalyaspor manager Sean Ferrier arranged for the club’s van to travel to Pretoria with parents and could at the last minute arrange for it to be brought to the team hotel and quickly loaded the 30 club members, into the vehicle and drove them to the venue.
Upon arrival, Antalyaspor were reportedly afforded only five minutes to warm up before kick-off, with the initial kickoff time of 08:30 being extended to 08:35.
It almost seemed as if circumstances were conspiring against the Cape Town outfit, who had been viewed by many as one of the tournament’s dark horses. In the end, Antalyaspor succumbed to the adversity and suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat.
Adding to their frustration was what they believed to be a clear second -half penalty that was waved away when an Antalyaspor attacker, Jordan Mack, was allegedly brought down from behind by a Chiefs defender inside the area – but nothing given.
Only those who were present would fully understand the challenges the Cape Town champions had to overcome and the manner in which they felt they were treated for the important semi-final clash against the Amakhosi.
Yet despite all of that, Antalyaspor left Pretoria with bronze medals, individual recognition for Jacobs, and their heads held high after a memorable national campaign.
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