Nedbank Cup heartbreak: Holders Kaizer Chiefs dethroned by clinical Stellies
The “Magic of the Cup” proved a bitter pill for Kaizer Chiefs to swallow on Wednesday night as their defence of the Nedbank Cup ended abruptly in the Round of 32.
Stellenbosch FC secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory at the DHL Stadium, knocking out the defending champions and ending their four-match winning streak.
Early blows stun Amakhosi
The match began with high intensity, but it was the hosts who drew first blood. In the 10th minute, Kaizer Chiefs striker Flavio da Silva committed a clumsy challenge on Thabo Moloisane inside the box. Nigerian midfielder Ibraheem Jabaar stepped up to the spot and calmly sent Brandon Petersen the wrong way to give Stellies an early 1-0 lead.
Chiefs attempted to claw their way back, with Mduduzi Shabalala testing Sage Stephens in the 17th minute, but the Stellenbosch goalkeeper produced a magnificent save to keep his side ahead.
The mountain became even steeper for the Soweto giants in the 23rd minute. Devin Titus pounced on a loose ball 30 yards out and unleashed a thunderous strike that flew into the top corner, leaving Petersen with no chance and doubling the lead for Gavin Hunt's men.
A fighting second half
Down 2-0 at the break, the Chief's technical team introduced Glodly Lilepo and Lebohang Maboe to inject life into the attack. The tactical shift paid dividends in the 56th minute when Amakhosi were awarded a penalty for a handball. Flavio da Silva partially redeemed his earlier error by converting from the spot, narrowing the deficit to 2-1.
Despite a frantic final 20 minutes where Chiefs dominated possession and bombarded the Stellenbosch area, the Winelands outfit held firm. Sage Stephens remained a wall in goal, frustrating Shabalala and Gaston Sirino repeatedly to ensure the upset was completed.
The road ahead
For Stellenbosch, the win serves as a massive morale boost following their recent exit from the CAF Confederation Cup. For Kaizer Chiefs, the focus now shifts entirely to the Betway Premiership, where they remain in the hunt for the league title.