Avengers FC has officially brought home international glory after being crowned champions of the TCL Five-A-Side Road to Greatness Season 2 Tournament in London, proudly representing South Africa on the global stage.
The Cape Town-based side travelled to London from 17 – 21 May 2026 after winning the local South African finals in Johannesburg earlier this month. Competing against top amateur teams from Hong Kong, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and South Europe, the South African squad delivered an exceptional performance throughout the tournament before ultimately securing victory in a dramatic final against the United Arab Emirates at the iconic Emirates Stadium.
After an intense and tightly contested match, the final was decided on penalties, where South Africa held their nerve to clinch the title and officially be crowned TCL Road to Greatness Season 2 champions.
Representing South Africa in London were Aghmad Elloufti, Dullin Karelse, Jayden Wakefield, Matthew Africa, Sai Naidoo and Timothy Liesering, with content creator Chad Jones joining the team to document the journey and give fans an inside look at the action through his social media platforms.
Beyond the competition itself, the experience also gave the team the opportunity to train with Arsenal FC coaches, meet club legends, and enjoy exclusive tours of the of the Sobha Realty training centre, the official training complex for Arsenal Football Club, making it a once-in-a-lifetime football experience for the players.
“We are incredibly proud of Avengers FC for representing South Africa with such passion, discipline and heart,” says Mike Chen, General Manager at TCL South Africa. “The Road to Greatness campaign is all about creating opportunities, celebrating talent and giving players unforgettable experiences on a global stage. To see a South African team lift the trophy at Emirates Stadium is a very special moment, not only for TCL, but for local football as a whole.”
Team captain Matthew Africa says the victory was an incredibly special moment for the team. “Winning this tournament against such strong international competition is an unbelievable feeling. Representing South Africa in London in such an iconic venue was already a dream come true, but to come home as champions makes it even more special. The final was incredibly tough and going to penalties was nerve-wracking, but the team showed unbelievable composure. We’re proud to have flown the South African flag high and grateful for an experience we’ll never forget.”
The TCL Five-A-Side Road to Greatness Tournament continues to grow as a global initiative celebrating football, community and opportunity, with this year’s edition giving amateur players from around the world the chance to compete on one of football’s biggest stages.
