Atletico U17s win Future Champions Gauteng International Tournament

Atletico Madrid are the new holders of the Future Champions Gauteng International Tournament after triumphing 2-1 over Bidvest Wits in the final on Saturday 19 March. Both the semi-finals and the title decider of this under-17s event, held in the South African province of Gauteng, were attended by Liga BBVA ambassador Christian Karembeu, who encouraged all the players involved and enjoyed the great entertainment on show.

The competition kicked off on 14 March, with Atletico Madrid flying the flag for Spain. The Rojiblancos would go on to compile a perfect record en route to lifting the trophy, as they won all three of their group-stage matches - scoring five times and not conceding once - before prevailing in the semi-finals and the showpiece.

The Madrid outfit got their campaign underway with back-to-back 1-0 victories over Shandong Luneng and Mpumalanga Black Aces respectively, before beating Ferroviario Maputo 3-0 through an Andy brace and a strike from Oscar. Altogether this ensured that they made it through from Group C to the semis in impressive fashion.

Awaiting in the last four were Orlando Pirates, and it was to be a fantastic footballing spectacle played out in a buzzing atmosphere, with Alejandro grabbing the only goal of the game to seal another 1-0 win for the Spaniards.

So it was that Bidvest Wits and Atletico did battle in the grand finale of the Future Champions Gauteng International Tournament on 19 March, and the Rojiblancos under-17s would taste glory thanks to efforts from Joaquin Muñoz and Oscar. Shungu Dutiro was on the scoresheet for runners-up Bidvest.