Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt returned to haunt his former club when he guided Stellenbosch FC to a thrilling victory in the Nedbank Cup Round of 32 clash on Wednesday evening.
Stellies won 2-1 after leading 2-0 at half-time at a sold-out Cape Town Stadium.
A reported 36 101 tickets were snapped up by fans.
First start
The Soweto giants handed starts to Gaston Sirino and Paseko Mako, while Given Msimango made his first start of the campaign alongside Inácio Miguel in central defence.
Stellenbosch FC, meanwhile, were without striker Tshegofatso Mabasa, who was not included in the matchday squad, but veteran defender Mosa Lebusa returned to the starting line-up.
After a 30-minute delay to the start of the match, the game burst into life when Stellenbosch FC were awarded a penalty inside the opening six minutes when Thabo Moloisane was brought down by Flavio da Silva in the box.
Ibraheem Jabaar made no mistake from the spot, calmly converting to give the hosts an early lead.
Slick one-two
Kaizer Chiefs nearly found an immediate response just before the 20-minute mark when Mduduzi Shabalala was played through on goal following a slick one-two.
However, Stellenbosch goalkeeper Sage Stephens produced an excellent save to deny the Amakhosi youngster.
That miss proved costly.
Just four minutes later, Devin Titus doubled Stellenbosch FC’s advantage with a superb long-range strike that left Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen with no chance.
Despite creating clear-cut opportunities, Kaizer Chiefs failed to capitalise before the break.
Shabalala was again guilty of wastefulness, squandering two more one-on-one chances against an inspired Stephens, drawing visible frustration from the Kaizer Chiefs supporters in attendance.
In control
Stellenbosch headed into the half-time break firmly in control, having combined clinical finishing with defensive discipline, while Kaizer Chiefs were left to reflect on numerous missed chances.
To their credit, Kaizer Chiefs did score the only goal of the second half through a penalty by Flavio Silva in the 56th minute, but it was not enough to deny Gavin Hunt and his Stellenbosch side from progressing to the Round of 16.
Kaizer Chiefs were the tournament’s defending champions.
Teams
Stellenbosch FC
Stephens, Lebusa, Moloisane, Jooste, Kazie, Tiwane, Titus, Butsaka, Jabaar, Mthiyane, Makhubu
Substitutes: Masuluka, Stanic, Mokobodi, Palące, Mdaka, Phili, Khanyi, Kodisang, Cupido
Kaizer Chiefs
Petersen, Mako, Miguel, McCarthy, Msimango, Monyane, Mabaso, Ndlovu, Shabalala, Sirino, Da Silva
Substitutes: Bvuma, Kwinika, Solomons, Maboe, Ngcobo, Vilakazi, Lilepo, Mmodi, Duba
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