Stellenbosch FC (2) 2
(Jabaar pen. 10’, Titus 23’))

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1
(Da Silva pen. 56’)

Nedbank Cup, Round of 32
DHL stadium, Cape Town

Amakhosi made a disappointing exit from the Nedbank Cup as the defending champions fell 2-1 to Stellenbosch FC in their Round of 32 clash at the DHL stadium in Cape Town on Wednesday evening.

The hosts held a 2-0 lead at the halfway point, through a penalty from Ibraheem Jabaar and a fabulous long-rage strike from Devin Titus. Flavio Da Silva pulled a goal back, also from the penalty spot, early in the second half but it was not enough to prevent elimination at the first hurdle

Chiefs made the brighter start and were first to strike at goal through Gaston Sirino in the 2^nd minute. Yet, there were early warning signs at the other end too, as Titus and Asekho Tiwani were found in space as the new-look Amakhosi defence gained their bearings.

The home team took the lead after 10 minutes when Da Silva, who had almost scored with a header moments before, fouled Thabo Moloisane in the box, making contact with his head in an attempt to clear a free kick, and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and booking the Chiefs striker for what was a clumsy, though dangerous, challenge. Ibraheem Jabaar stepped up to convert the kick to give Stellies a 1-0 lead.

Amakhosi attempted to play their way back into the match and Mduduzi Shabalala went close in the 17^th minute, forcing a diving save from Sage Stephens in the home side’s goal.

Stellenbosch doubled their lead in the 23^rd minute via a well-struck shot by Titus from fully 30 yards out that no goalkeeper would have prevented from flying into the top corner.

Cheered on by their fantastic Western Cape supporters inside the stadium, Amakhosi continued to battle their way through the first half on a heavy pitch that made slick passing difficult and a determined Stellenbosch outfit snapping at their heels at every turn.

Despite causing Stellies to retreat deeper into their own territory, Chiefs were unable to get a strike on goal and went into the break two goals down.

Amakhosi halved the deficit 11 minutes after the restart with a penalty of their own - awarded for handball by Muso Lebusa – which was expertly despatched by Da Silva to make amends for his earlier aberration, and Chiefs players rushed back to halfway eager to chase an equaliser.

The introduction of Glody Lilepo, Mfundo Vilakazi and Pule Mmodi, gave the Amakhosi Faithful some hope, and Lilepo, as usual, had his sights set on levelling the scores, going close on a couple of occasions, while also setting up Thulani Mabaso for a strike late on that only just cleared Stephens’ crossbar.

Yet, it was not to be and the Glamour Boys’ defence of the title they won in such style at the end of last season, came to a halt in the opening round this time around.

The players and staff have no time to dwell on the disappointment though, and will immediately refocus their attention back to continental matters where a win over Al Masry at FNB stadium on Sunday is vital in their quest to progress from Group D into the knockout phase of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

Line-ups

Kaizer Chiefs:  Petersen © (1); McCarthy (35), Miguel (14) (Duba (36) 84’), Mako (29) (Lilepo (99) 46’), Monyane (2), Msimango (25), Mabaso (34), Ndlovu (8) (Maboe (6) 46’), Shabalala (7) (Vilakazi (28) 66’), Sirino (10) (Mmodi (13) 74’), Da Silva (77)

Subs not used: Bvuma (16); Kwinika (4), Solomons (18), Ngcobo (12)

Coaches: Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze

Stellenbosch FC: Stephens © (17); Lebusa (31), Jooste (66), Butsaka (33) (Philly (11) 61’), Jabaar (27), Moloisane (24) (Stanic (4) 15’), Mthiyane (21), Enyinnaya (16), Tiwani (13) (Mdaka (3) 61’), Makhubu (36), Titus (34) (Palace (19) 90’)

Subs not used: Masuluke (30); Mokobodi (29), Khanyi (15), Kodisang (28), Cupido (9)

Coach: Gavin Hunt