Stellies eliminate reigning champs Chiefs to advance in Nedbank Cup
Stellenbosch FC advanced to the Nedbank Cup Round of 16 after eliminating defending champions Kaizer Chiefs at DHL Stadium.
In a rematch of last season’s quarter-final, Stellenbosch FC welcomed Kaizer Chiefs to DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Wednesday evening for a highly anticipated Nedbank Cup Round of 32 encounter.
The Maroons made a strong start to the match and were awarded an early penalty after Thabo Moloisane was brought down in the box by a high boot; a challenge that ultimately required the Bafana Bafana international to be substituted off.
Ibraheem Jabaar stepped up to the spot and coolly converted his effort beyond Chiefs ‘keeper Brandon Petersen.
Moments later, one goal nearly became two as Chumani Butsaka found himself with the ball at his feet in front of goal, but the midfielder could only fire wide from close range. At the other end, Stellies skipper Sage Stephens made a brilliant one-on-one save to preserve Stellies’ lead.
An end-to-end affair ensued before the second goal arrived for the hosts, with Devin Titus producing the moment of magic by firing an unstoppable effort past Petersen from outside of the box.
Stephens was again called upon again soon after, making a good save to his right with an outstretched leg, to ensure that the team from the Winelands headed into the dressing rooms with a two-goal advantage.
That advantage was halved shortly after the restart as the Amakhosi were awarded a penalty of their own for a handball in the box by Mosa Lebusa, which Flavio Silva duly converted.
Not to be undone by the setback, Stellies pushed forward in search of a third and came inches away from finding it, only for substitute Langelihle Phili to be denied by a brilliant save from Chiefs’ shot-stopper.
Late chances followed at both ends, most notably for the ever-impressive Wonderboy Makhubu who was denied by another good save by Petersen, but the scoreline ultimately remained unchanged, leaving Stellies to avenge last season’s defeat and advance to the nexr round.