Stellies look to bring Chiefs down to earth

Stellenbosch FC will be out to dump Kaizer Chiefs out of another competition when they meet in the Nedbank Cup round of 32 match at the DHL Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday.

Kick-off is at 7:00 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

Stellies are licking their wounds following their 3-0 loss to CR Belouizdad at home in the Caf Confederation Cup fixture on Sunday and they are now winless in their last two matches, having also lost to the Algerian giants on 25 January.

Stellenbosch will view the Nedbank Cup as a new lease of life, especially against Chiefs, who they eliminated from the Carling Knockout in October and the Western Cape side will be looking to reach the round of 16 for the fourth year running.

However, Stellies will be up against an in-form Chiefs, who extended their winning streak to four matches when they edged out Zesco United at home in the Caf Confederation Cup match on Sunday, and they are also unbeaten in seven matches.

Amakhosi will be starting their defence of the Nedbank Cup, having ended their 10-year trophy drought when they clinched the South African FA Cup last season, and the Soweto giants are keen to reach the round of 16 for the second year running.

TEAM NEWS

Stellenbosch will be boosted by the availability of Thabo Moloisane and Muzomuhle Khanyi, as the duo missed the team's last domestic game, which was against Sekhukhune United, due to suspension.

Chiefs, on the other hand, have a long injury list which includes Bradley Cross, Reeve Frosler, Rushwin Dortley, Thabo Cele and Sibongiseni Mthethwa, but Gaston Sirino and George Matlou have recovered from their injuries.

Attention turns to the Nedbank Cup 🫡

🆚 @KaizerChiefs
🏆 #NedbankCup
🏟 DHL Stadium
📅 Wednesday, 4 February 2026
🕢 19h00
📺 @SSFootball
🎫 R50.00 ➡️ https://t.co/NU9ASqDeD6 #HeartoftheCape #MoreThanFootball #StellenboschFC 🍇 pic.twitter.com/EguJrDPi8v
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) February 2, 2026

WHAT WAS SAID?

Stellenbosch FC head coach Gavin Hunt

"This game teaches you a lot. We are closer to where we want to be, and I know what we're trying to do. This game and the one from last Sunday was good for us, as they allowed us to bring a few players in," Hunt said.

“The score line is hard to take. Is it a true reflection? I don't know, and I don’t think so. But that's football, you have to take it and move on. “I think it was good for a lot of the players to have a run out before the most important games coming up.”

Kaizer Chiefs co-head coach Cedric Kaze

“It’s true that Stellenbosch have eliminated us from the Carling Knockout Cup, but I thought we were the better team that day and unfortunately we lost on penalties,” Kaze said.

“But there’s no revenge in football, it’s just another game that we need to win and try to have a good performance.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tshegofatso Mabasa, Stellenbosch FC: The Orlando Pirates loanee marked his Stellies debut by scoring the winning goal against Sekhukhune United, and he will pose a threat to Chiefs' defence with his scoring prowess.

Glody Lilepo, Kaizer Chiefs: The lanky winger is playing some of his best football at the moment, having scored winning goals in back-to-back matches, and he will be confident of scoring another decisive goal in Cape Town.

Head-to-head (since 2017)

PREVIOUS CUP MEETINGS

Season Cup Result Scorers

2016-17 Nedbank Cup last 32 Stellenbosch 0-3 Chiefs Molangoane, Tshabalala,Paez

2017-18 Nedbank Cup last 16 Chiefs 2-1 Stellenbosch Mathoho, Castro; Robertson

2022-23 MTN8 quarterfinal Stellenbosch 1-1* Chiefs Nduli; Du Preez

2024-25 Nedbank Cup quarterfinal Stellenbosch 1-3 Chiefs De Jong; I Miguel (pen), Mmodi, Vilakazi

2025-26 Carling Knockout last 16 Stellenbosch 0-0**Chiefs

*Chiefs won on penalties

**Stellenbosch won on penalties

CUP RECORD

P W D L GF GA