13-year-old scores Engen player of the tournament award

Lonwabo Marele|Published 3 years ago

Zoe October with Safa Cape Town president Bennett Bailey and Bulela Mkandawire, Engen brand and sponsorship manager, after receiving her Engen Knockout Challenge women’s midfielder of the tournament and player of the tournament award. Marele.

Thirteen-year-old Zoe October bagged two individual awards during the first ever women’s edition of the Engen Knockout Challenge at Langa Stadium this past weekend.

The attacking midfielder, from Delft, played a crucial role in Spurs Women’s Football Club’s (WFC) journey into the finals despite their 1-0 loss to RV United.

Although the Wynberg-based outfits took second place, Zoe impressed the selectors and received the top honours.

Spurs WFC coach, Winston Zeederberg, was chuffed with excitement for his young team’s performance throughout the tournament.

They went into the competition with a squad of only 13 players, but managed to play their hearts out right into the final.

Coach Zeederberg said progress was made through their hard work on and off the field.

“Zoe was brilliant. Many people don’t realise she is only 13 this year. She is going to be a super talent when we are done with her development,” he said.

Coach Zeederberg said they are grooming role models through football. No matter the result on the field, they should keep their heads up. “They must keep their heads up, look at the positives and work hard. This is more than football, it is about changing people's lives. They should believe, dream, achieve and go back to recreate the circle,” said Zeederberg.

Vitorina October said her daughter, Zoe, sleeps and eats football. “She started playing soccer with the boys in the street. When she was 10, she joined Bellstar Ladies FC. The manager of Spurs WFC, aunty Cathy Liedeman and coach Mickey Liedeman, saw her and recommended she join Spurs this year.

“I am so proud and excited for her to receive these awards. Zoe and I have a special bond. After my heart attack she said to me she is going to make me happy through soccer. She is playing her heart out to make me and her siblings happy,” said October.

Zoe is as good on the football field as she is on the track. In 2019 she was awarded her Western Province long distance athletic colours and in the same year she received the Sportswoman of the Year Award at Rosendal Primary School.