Stellies, Chiefs make for exciting viewing in Carling Knockout Cup

As one of the marquee fixtures in the Carling Knockout Cup this coming weekend, Stellenbosch FC will host Kaizer Chiefs in an exciting first-round clash at the Cape Town Stadium on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 3pm (CAT, GMT+2).

CURRENT FORM

The Cape Winelands side were crowned the inaugural champions of the Carling Knockout Cup in 2023 and will once again hope to draw inspiration from their 5-4 win on penalties against TS Galaxy in the final that year.

As far as their current form sheet is concerned, Stellies bagged a 0-0 draw with Chippa United in the Betway Premiership last time out. Stellenbosch have won just one out of nine league games this season and currently occupy a lowly 14th place on the table.

Amakhosi have likewise struggled to yield positive results of late, particularly after their frustrating 1-1 draw with AmaZulu at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday night.

With just one win in their last five Betway Premiership assignments, Chiefs sit in fifth place after their matchday eight obligation.

WHAT WAS SAID

Speaking after his side’s stalemate with the Chilli Boys, Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker expressed that the Western Cape outfit lacked cutting edge in the final third.

“There is a little bit of confidence and lack of belief,” Barker said.

“We came here to get three points and tried to be as positive as possible, playing the players we believed could score. It was not through a lack of effort that we didn’t. I believe we created slightly the better chances, but we just lacked the final finish that we need right now.”

Kaizer Chiefs interim co-head coach Khalil Ben Youssef is of the thought that the Glamour Boys need to fine tune the attacking department after their draw with Usuthu this week.

“I said before we are struggling in the last third. Sometimes we have been unlucky and sometimes we miss chances,” Ben Youssef said.

“We have to work and keep going to find a solution. The next game is Stellenbosch [in the last 16 of the Carling Knockout]. Then we have two weeks [the international break] to fix everything.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Stellenbosch: Andre de Jong – Once again a regular under Barker this season, the New Zealander will look to disrupt the Chiefs backline with his clever movement on the edge of the 18-yard-area.

Kaizer Chiefs: Mduduzi Shabalala – After getting his name on the scoresheet against AmaZulu, Shabalala heads into the next game with a much-needed confidence booster. As an ever-present figure in the Amakhosi front line, Shabalala could hurt Stellenbosch with his pace and trickery.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Previous Cup meetings

2016/17 Nedbank Cup last 32 - Stellenbosch 0-3 Kaizer Chiefs

2017/18 Nedbank Cup last 16 - Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 Stellenbosch

2022/23 MTN8 quarterfinal - Stellenbosch 1-1* Kaizer Chiefs (* Chiefs won on penalties)

2024/25 Nedbank Cup quarterfinal - Stellenbosch 1-3 Kaizer Chiefs

Last five league results

2023/24 Stellenbosch 0-2 Kaizer Chiefs

2023/24 Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 Stellenbosch

2024/25 Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 Stellenbosch

2024/25 Stellenbosch 0-1 Kaizer Chiefs

2025/26 Stellenbosch 0-2 Kaizer Chiefs