Roses claim fourth Knockout Challenge Cup title

Gugulethu's Cape Town Roses has once again asserted their undisputed reign as the "Diski Queens" of Cape Town.  

Their recent, utterly dominant display at this year's Engen Knockout Challenge not only secured their fourth consecutive title but also booked them another trip to the competition's Champ of Champs tournament in Johannesburg in October.  

Coach Xolile Madikane and his team captain, Thulisa July, initially attempted to downplay their chances ahead of the tournament.  

However, their on-field performance told a vastly different story. A staggering 21 goals scored while conceding a mere single goal across six games speaks volumes about this side.  

Their journey culminated in a decisive 2-0 victory over RV United in the final, a testament to their unwavering focus and execution under pressure.

This seemingly nonchalant demeanor, even in the face of such overwhelming success, perhaps stems from the incredibly high standards Cape Town Roses have set for themselves.  

For this team, simply winning is not enough; victory must be achieved in a brilliant, dominant and ultimately satisfying manner.  

They have elevated the benchmark for women's football in Cape Town, compelling every opposing team to work exceptionally harder to bridge the gap. 

Despite their pre-tournament modesty, their superiority was undeniable to spectators.

To concede just one solitary goal throughout an entire tournament and still seek areas for improvement is a remarkable characteristic, highlighting the relentless pursuit of perfection that defines the Roses' character.  

July revealed that it was clear other teams had meticulously planned their strategies around Roses, an understandable approach given their prior hat-trick of victories in the competition.  

Reflecting on the final win, July admitted that winning a fourth title initially seemed unlikely, but a surge of new confidence swept through the team once they secured their place in the final.  

She hopes this new found belief will guide them  to lift the elusive Champ of Champs trophy, which narrowly slipped through their grasp last year. 

"We are happy, we were not sure we were actually going to win it for the fourth time. Many teams were planning for us and made it difficult for us," she said.  

July was quick to credit teamwork as the cornerstone of the team's sustained success.

"We work as a team, we don't shout at each other, we work well with each other and that translates to a good showing during the game," she said. 

 Madikane echoed his captain's sentiments regarding the importance of teamwork as the driving force behind their fourth Challenge Cup title. He also noted the significant strides made in the broader landscape of women's football.  

"The standard of women's football has really improved and that makes the game very tough," said Madikane .  

"As champions, we know we have to raise the bar every time," said Madikane. 

He pondered on their recent campaign, reflecting on the competitiveness of each encounter.  

"I was sitting down thinking which game was actually easy and there was none. We didn't have a single easy game, but when the kids are mentally strong, they always live up to the situation and the demands of the game," he said.  

Roses swept through all three of their round-robin games, scoring an impressive 10 unanswered goals. Their dominance continued into the knockout stages, where they dispatched Rygate Ladies with a convincing 5-1 victory in the quarter-finals. The semi-finals saw them overpower Salt River Blackpool 4-0, setting the stage for their championship clash against RV United.

The tournament yielded further accolades for the Roses. Coach Madikane's exceptional leadership was recognised as he was deservedly named Coach of the Tournament in the ladies' section. The individual brilliance of Lisakhanya Situlweni shone brightest as she swept three individual awards: striker of the tournament, top goal scorer and player of the tournament.  

Remarkably, this marked the second consecutive year she claimed the top goal-scorer award, solidifying her status as a prolific talent. 

With their dominance firmly established in the Cape Metropole, the next thrilling chapter for Cape Town Roses is the pursuit of the elusive Champ of Champs title. Having fallen short in the final for the past three years.