Stellenbosch beat Chiefs 2-1 in Nedbank Cup Last 32
Stellenbosch beat Chiefs 2-1 in Nedbank Cup Last 32 action on 04 February 2026 Wednesday night, sending the defending champions crashing out of the competition in the very first round. In an emotional and high-octane encounter at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town, Gavin Hunt’s side produced a tactical masterclass to eliminate Kaizer Chiefs and secure their place in the Round of 32‘s winning circle.
The match was played under a somber cloud as Stellenbosch FC honored the memory of Jeandre Gaffoor, their young Diski Challenge star who passed away just days before the fixture. The “Maroons” channeled that emotion into a dominant first-half display that ultimately left the Glamour Boys with too much ground to cover.
First-Half Blitz Stuns the Champions
The game was marked by a lively start, with both teams looking to assert dominance early. However, it was the home side that drew first blood. In the 10th minute, a high boot from Chiefs’ striker Flavio Silva caught Thabo Moloisane in the face inside the penalty area. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, and Nigerian midfielder Ibraheem Jabaar stepped up to calmly slot the ball past Brandon Petersen.
While Kaizer Chiefs searched for an immediate response, their defense was breached again in the 22nd minute. Devin Titus, pouncing on a loose ball nearly 30 yards from goal, unleashed a spectacular “screamer” that flew into the top corner. This incredible long-range effort meant that Stellenbosch beat Chiefs 2-1 in Nedbank Cup Last 32 in terms of momentum well before the halftime whistle blew.
Sage Stephens Denies the Amakhosi Fightback
Despite trailing by two goals, Kaizer Chiefs did not go down without a fight. Mduduzi Shabalala was a constant threat, finding himself one-on-one with Sage Stephens on three separate occasions in the first half. However, the Stellenbosch shot-stopper was in inspired form, producing a series of world-class saves to keep his clean sheet intact going into the break.
Chiefs co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze responded by introducing Glody Lilepo and Lebohang Maboe at the start of the second half. The tactical shift paid off in the 56th minute when Mosa Lebusa was penalized for a handball in the box. Flavio Silva made amends for his earlier penalty concession by converting from 12 yards, reducing the deficit and setting up a grandstand finish.
Nedbank Cup: Match Statistics and Lineups
| Metric | Stellenbosch FC | Kaizer Chiefs |
| Score | 2 | 1 |
| Possession | 41% | 59% |
| Shots on Target | 4 | 7 |
| Saves | 6 | 2 |
Stellenbosch FC XI: Stephens, Lebusa, Jooste, Jabaar, Moloisane (Stanic 15′), Mthiyane, Enyinnaya, Tiwani, Makhubu, Titus, Butsaka.
Kaizer Chiefs XI: Petersen, Mako (Lilepo 46′), Miguel, McCarthy, Msimango, Monyane, Mabaso, Ndlovu (Maboe 46′), Shabalala (Vilakazi 67′), Sirino (Mmodi 75′), Silva.
Defensive Resilience Secures the Win
As the clock ticked down, the pressure from the Soweto giants became immense. Glody Lilepo rattled the crossbar with a ferocious snap-shot, and Thulani Mabaso saw a late effort flash inches over the woodwork. However, the result remained unchanged, confirming that Stellenbosch beat Chiefs 2-1 in Nedbank Cup Last 32 to end Amakhosi’s four-match winning streak in 2026.
This victory is particularly sweet for Gavin Hunt, who has now seen his side eliminate Chiefs from two domestic cup competitions this season, following their earlier success in the Carling Knockout. For the defending champions, it is a bitter pill to swallow as their hopes of back-to-back Nedbank Cup titles evaporated in the Cape Town wind.
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Looking Ahead to the Round of 16
With the defending champions out, the Nedbank Cup is now wide open. Stellenbosch FC joins Mamelodi Sundowns in the next round, with the draw for the Round of 16 set to take place in the coming days. For Kaizer Chiefs, the focus must now shift entirely to the Betway Premiership, where they currently sit third in the standings.
The fact that Stellenbosch beat Chiefs 2-1 in Nedbank Cup Last 32 play will go down as one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 season. It serves as a reminder that in the “Cup of Dreams,” reputation counts for nothing once the whistle blows.
Reference Links
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PSL Official: Defending champs make early exit to Stellenbosch
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