Two first-half goals from Ibraheem Jabaar, from the penalty spot, and Devin Titus sealed the win for Stellenbosch, as Chiefs could only muster a Flávio Silva penalty in reply.
It is the fourth time in six seasons that AmaKhosi have exited at the Last 32 stage, with two of those defeats coming against second-tier opposition in Richards Bay (2021) and Milford FC (2024). TS Galaxy (2022) were the other side to eliminate them.
Such an early exit had been rare for Chiefs before this difficult recent run. In fact, it had happened just once previously since 2008, when they lost to Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates in the Last 32 in 2016.
They are the first holders to be eliminated in the opening round since TS Galaxy in 2020, after Galaxy, then a second-tier side, had ironically beaten Chiefs in the final the year before.
Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze said his side had no excuses for their exit, admitting they failed to start the match on the right foot and were forced to play catch-up.
“I think that we didn’t enter the game well and we knew that we were playing a team that likes to play long balls and wins a lot of duels, fighting for the second balls,” Kaze said afterwards.
“We didn’t manage that well enough. We didn’t win enough second balls, and it cost us in the first 20 minutes. I believe the goals were avoidable. But after conceding the two goals, we came back into the game.
“We missed a couple of opportunities, two or three good chances to score. In the second half, we came back with better intentions and a better mentality.
“We tried our best. We scored in the first 10 minutes of the second half and tried to push. I would say it feels like an unlucky day, but it’s a knockout game and unfortunately we are out of the competition. We now have to look forward because Sunday is coming very quickly with a massive game in the CAF Confederation Cup.
“We have to put our heads straight to have the right mentality to play against Al Masry on Sunday.”
Chiefs must win against Al Masry in their penultimate CAF Confederation Cup group match or risk missing out on the knockout stages. The match will be played in Polokwane. The AmaKhosi are competing in the competition having earned their place via their Nedbank Cup win last season.
As a result of their schedule, Kaze made six changes for the match against Stellenbosch and said fatigue meant they had to continue rotating players.
“It’s not a good thing to be eliminated from the Nedbank Cup because it’s a competition that we love and wanted to go all the way in. But unfortunately, we are out and now have to focus on our next matches, which are the Confederation Cup and the league.
“I don’t want to find any excuses for the defeat, but it’s very tough. I’m so proud of the players. They did everything they could, but in our situation it’s very difficult to play every three days with the travel involved. Sometimes the players take time to get into the game, even though before the match we emphasise the need to start strongly,” Kaze added.
KAIZER CHIEFS’ NEDBANK CUP FINISHES
2026 – First round
2025 – Winners
2024 – First round
2023 – Semifinals
2022 – First round
2021 – First round
2020 – Second round
2019 – Runners-Up
2018 – Semi-finals
2017 – Quarter-finals
2016 – First round
2015 – Second round
2014 – Semi-finals
2013 – Winners
2012 – Quarter-finals
2011 – Quarter-finals
2010 – Second round
2009 – Second round
2008 – Second round