Given Msimango has hailed Stellenbosch FC’s ambition as the Club prepares to take on AmaZulu in the Carling Knockout Cup quarter-finals.

Msimango, who joined Stellenbosch from Kaizer Chiefs at the start of the season, was speaking to the media on Friday when he shared insight into the Maroons’ ambition to compete for silverware this season.

“I think people underestimate the magnitude of this Club. It’s an ambitious Club that wants to achieve things,” he said. “I think over the past few years Stellenbosch has shown what the Club can do at the highest level, competing in CAF, and winning the Carling Knockout as well.

“I’ve come into a setup where it’s full of ambition, with an ambitious coach who knows how to win games, win tournaments, win cups. That’s one of the motivations that made me come here. There’s not been much of an adjustment in terms of the mentality, but rather just trying to pick up and continue to build from there.”

With coach Gavin Hunt having rotated his goalkeepers in the first round, Msimango was handed the armband against Durban City in place of regular skipper Sage Stephens, who he reveals has helped him project his voice in the dressing room.

“In terms of finding a voice, I think with the experience that I’ve gained playing in the PSL, I kind of know my way around the pitch and the change room, and I can try and guide the young ones in terms of what’s right and wrong,” he added.

“I’m surrounded by a good bunch of people. Our captain, Sage, is also helping me, helping the team as well, and  it’s been a good adjustment from my side, slowly learning, learning from Coach Gavin and Coach Wes [Sergel].

“They are guiding us as a team, and guiding me as an individual to get better at my game so I can contribute to the group holistically.”

The 29-year-old also revealed that the team had been working hard to bounce back from a league defeat to Chippa United and return to the form that saw them overcome City in the Round of 16.

“Durban City was two games ago, so we judge ourselves based on last performance, and that wasn’t a good result,” he said. “But, throughout the week, we have managed to bounce back and rectify the errors that we saw in our previous game, and we are locked in and looking forward.

“…I think with the planning that we’ve had this week, we’ve done enough to ensure that we get a good result on the weekend.”

The Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final clash between Stellenbosch FC and AmaZulu is scheduled to kick off at 18h00 on Sunday, 8 November 2026 at Danie Craven Stadium. Tickets are available online only and are sold for R100 from Open Tickets.