Stellenbosch FC suffered an opening-day defeat to Kaizer Chiefs in an enthralling Betway Premiership encounter on Sunday.

Stellenbosch FC’s start to the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season did not go as planned after the team from the Winelands went down 2-0 to Kaizer Chiefs at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Sunday evening.

Steve Barker’s side were dealt an early double blow in the 13th minute when defender Siviwe Nkwali, on his full debut, was sent off for a last-man offence, before Nkosingiphile Ngcobo fired Chiefs ahead from the resultant free-kick.

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Stellies pushed hard to level matters and twice hit the woodwork through Devin Titus and Sanele Barns in the first half, but the equalising goal remained elusive as the match wore on.

It was ultimately at the other end where the score changed, as the Amakhosi doubled their lead in added time through Glody Lilepo, who netted from the penalty spot after Omega Mdaka brought down former Stellenbosch forward, Ashley Du Preez, in the box.

Speaking after the match, Barker lamented the red card and penalty as defining moments in the encounter, and called for his charges to bounce back in the club’s upcoming mid-week fixture against Magesi FC.

“We came into the game with great anticipation because it’s nice to play our first league match of the season in front of a packed crowd, so there was a lot of anticipation and excitement coming into the fixture,” he said.

“The red card so early in the game was always going to make it difficult for us, though. It’s one of the things we try to tell the players, that red cards and penalties are just not worth it over the course of the season, so hopefully we’ve given both away for the remainder of the season.

“But, I thought our response was really strong. From the moment of the red card until halftime, we forced the issue, were on the front foot, and created some really good chances. We hit the crossbar, the post, and Chiefs made some big saves.

“We put a lot of pressure on them, and I thought those were the moments we needed to get something from it, but it always just looked like it wasn’t going to go in. It wasn’t for a lack of effort, but I think we had been a bit more fortunate and scored before half-time, the complexion of the game might have been a bit different.

“The second half was more difficult for us. Playing so long with ten men, you could see that the legs were not as fresh, and with another game as soon as Wednesday against Magesi, we had to try to manage the situation.

“They dominated in the second half, had real good possession, and as the game went on longer, we tried to gamble a bit more, which led to us being vulnerable at the back. We unfortunately then conceded the late penalty and the second goal.

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“But, I felt that, after going down to 10 men after 10 minutes in the game, to keep them at 1-0 for 80 minutes was a good effort. I was hoping that we could perhaps sneak something, whether it was a set-piece, a mistake from them, or a bit of magic from someone, to salvage a point, but it wasn’t to be.

“It seems a bit like deja vu with the red card and penalty, so it’s unfortunate for us, but we need to bounce back immediately. We can’t dwell on this. We need to refresh ourselves, be resilient, and show bouncebackability for the big three points on offer on Wednesday.”

Stellenbosch FC starting XI: Stephens, Enyinnaya, Moloisane, Nkwali, Butsaka (Jabaar 62′), Palace, De Jong (Nku 62′), Barns (Mcaba 71′), Titus (Lekoloane 71′), and Cupido (Khanyi 62′)