Stellenbosch haunt Chiefs again to dump defending champions out of Nedbank Cup

The hoodoo continues. In a result that felt more like a recurring nightmare than a shock for the Amakhosi faithful, Stellenbosch FC once again proved to be the masters of Kaizer Chiefs, dumping the defending champions out of the Nedbank Cup with a 2-1 Round of 32 victory at the sold-out Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday night.

Having already shattered Chiefs’ Carling Knockout Cup dreams at the same venue just months ago, Barker’s men reinforced their status as the Soweto giants’ primary hoodoo side.”

The hosts wasted no time asserting themselves, preying on a Chiefs defence that looked sluggish in the coastal air. The pressure told as early as the 7th minute when Thabo Moloisane was brought down in the box by Flávio Silva.

Ibraheem Jabaar stepped up in the 10th minute, showing nerves of steel to hammer the penalty into the top left corner.

Before Chiefs could regroup, they were 2-0 down. In the 22nd minute, the irrepressible Devin Titus picked up a pass from Jabaar and unleashed a spectacular right-footed effort from distance that left Brandon Petersen clutching at thin air. It was clinical, it was deserved, and it left the defending champions with a mountain to climb.

Silva Lifeline Not Enough For Chiefs

Nabi rang the changes at the break, introducing Makabi Lilepo and Lebohang Maboe to inject some much-needed urgency. The impact was immediate, with Lilepo nearly breaking the crossbar with a thunderous effort in the 53rd minute.

Amakhosi finally found a way back into the match when a handball by Mosa Lebusa handed them a penalty. Flávio Silva made amends for his earlier defensive error, burying the spot-kick in the 56th minute to set up a grandstand finish.

Chiefs threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Stellies’ goal in the closing stages. Lilepo and the young Mfundo Vilakazi both had sights on goal, but Sage Stephens and his backline—anchored by the veteran Lebusa—remained resolute under immense pressure.

What it Means For Chiefs

The defeat marks a bitter end to the Chiefs’ title defence, leaving them with only the Betway Premiership and the CAF Confederation Cup to fight for this season. For Stellenbosch, the victory further cements their status as one of the most disciplined and dangerous knockout teams in South Africa.