Stellenbosch FC ended Kaizer Chiefs’ Nedbank Cup title defence with a 2–1 victory in a Round of 32 clash at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Cape Winelands side once again proved to be Amakhosi’s undoing, knocking out the defending champions just months after eliminating them in the Carling Knockout at the same venue. The defeat leaves Kaizer Chiefs with only the Betway Premiership and the CAF Confederation Cup to chase for silverware this season.
For Stellenbosch FC, the result marked an emphatic response to last weekend’s 3–0 home loss to CR Belouizdad in continental action. It also snapped Chiefs’ four-match winning run in 2026 and booked Stellenbosch a place in the Nedbank Cup last-16, with head coach Gavin Hunt eyeing a genuine shot at silverware.
Despite the absence of Orlando Pirates loanee Tshegofatso Mabasa, the Maroons looked sharp and composed. Defender Tabo Moloisane returned to the starting line-up, while Devin Titus was rewarded with a start after his substitute appearance in continental competition.
Chiefs, meanwhile, made notable defensive changes despite having kept four consecutive clean sheets. Paseka Mako, Thabiso Monyane and Given Msimango were deployed at the back, with Zitha Kwinika and Dillan Solomons dropping out. Midfielder Thulani Mabaso was handed his first start, while Gaston Sirino made his first appearance of 2026.
Stellenbosch strike early
The defensive reshuffle quickly backfired. After just 10 minutes, Chiefs failed to deal with a set-piece, and a clumsy clearance attempt by Flavio da Silva caught Moloisane in the face inside the box. Ibraheem Jabaar calmly converted the resulting penalty, sending goalkeeper Brandon Petersen the wrong way.
Stellenbosch doubled their lead 13 minutes later through a moment of quality, as Titus unleashed a stunning long-range strike that left Chiefs stunned and facing an uphill battle.
Chiefs had chances to respond before the break, most notably when Mduduzi Shabalala went one-on-one with goalkeeper Sage Stevens, but hesitation allowed the defence to recover. Stevens went on to frustrate Shabalala on several occasions in a dominant first-half display.
Chiefs rally, but fall short
Introduced at half-time, Glody Lilepo injected urgency and came close when his effort rattled the woodwork early in the second half.
Chiefs were handed a lifeline in the 56th minute after Mosa Lebusa handled a cross inside the box. Lilepo stepped up and converted from the spot to reduce the deficit and set up a tense finish.
Stellenbosch, however, continued to threaten. Langelihle Phiri missed a clear opportunity after a clever assist from Wonderboy Makhubu, while Petersen later denied Makhubu in a one-on-one during stoppage time.
In the end, Stellenbosch held firm to claim another memorable cup victory over Chiefs, underlining their growing reputation as giant-killers and ending Amakhosi’s hopes of defending the Nedbank Cup crown.