Kaizer Chiefs' title defence came to an end at the first hurdle after they were beaten 2-1 by Stellenbosch at the Cape Town Stadium in the Nedbank Cup round of 32 on Wednesday.
First-half goals from Ibraheem Jabaar and Devin Titus did the damage for Gavin Hunt's side before Flavio Silva pulled one back in the second half to give the Glamour Boys hope.
Kaizer Chiefs are 𝐎𝐔𝐓 of the #NedbankCup 😲❌#SSDiski | #SSFootball pic.twitter.com/Y8sHcNToyt
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 4, 2026
The Maroons honoured the memory of Jeandre Gaffoor, who passed away at the age of 20 on February 1, just one day after featuring for their DStv Diski Challenge team against Magesi.
Stellies were hoping for a cup tonic following back-to-back defeats against CR Belouizdad in Africa's second-tier club competition, while Amakhosi looked to keep the momentum going after winning their opening four games in the new year.
An action-packed first half brought early chances for both teams, with Gaston Sirino shooting wide in the second minute before Chumani Butsaka and Flavio Silva failed to hit the target with their respective headers.
The hosts were presented with a golden chance to break the deadlock on 10 minutes when Silva caught Thabo Moloisane with a raised boot inside the box and Jabaar kept his composure on an emotional evening to convert the resulting penalty.
Penalty for Stellenbosch 🍇🚨
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 4, 2026
Clumsy defending from Flávio Silva 👀👇
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Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef's side almost found a quick response, but Sage Stephens stood firm to deny Mduduzi Shabalala, who found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper in the 17th minute.
However, the Cape Winelands outfit struck again five minutes later and there was little Brandon Petersen could do as Titus pounced on a loose ball outside the area before unleashing a screamer that flew into the top left corner of the net.
Yoh! Yoh! Yoh! 😲😲
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 4, 2026
Devin Titus scores a cracker to double Stellies lead 🍇💥
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Shabalala had another sniff at goal on 35 minutes after latching onto the ball inside the box, only to be repelled by the out-stretched leg of Stephens.
The visitors were given a lifeline 11 minutes into the second half when Mosa Lebusa handled inside the area to concede a penalty which was tucked home by Silva.
The ball hits Mosa Lebusa's hand and it's a penalty 🚨
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 4, 2026
Do you agree with this decision? 🤔💭
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Stellies nearly had a two-goal cushion on 65 minutes as Langelihle Phili looked to make an immediate impact off the bench, but Petersen pulled off a superb save to keep the Soweto giants in the contest.
Chiefs pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages as the Maroons dropped deeper and deeper, although the closest they came was a shot from Thulani Mabaso that flashed inches over the crossbar in the 87th minute.
Stellenbosch (2) 2 (Jabaar 10' PEN, Titus 22')
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 (Silva 56' PEN)
Stellenbosch: S. Stephens, M. Lebusa, E. Kazie, T. Moloisane (H. Stanic 15'), A. Tiwani, W. Jooste, I. Jabaar, M. Mthiyane, C. Butsaka, D. Titus, W. Makhubu.
Kaizer Chiefs: B. Petersen, P. Mako (G. Lilepo 46'), I. Miguel, A. McCarthy, G. Msimango, T. Monyane, T. Mabaso, S. Ndlovu (L. Maboe 46'), M. Shabalala (M. Vilakazi 67'), G. Sirino (P. Mmodi 75'), F. Silva.