Kaizer Chiefs Struggles Continue As They Crash Out of Carling Knockout Cup

• Kaizer Chiefs have been knocked out of the Carling Knockout Cup after stumbling to a disappointing defeat against Stellenbosch FC
• The Glamour Boys have a good record against the Stellies since last season, but the home side did enough to secure a spot in the next round
• The match ended goalless after 120 minutes of play at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town, with the game later being decided on penalties

Kaizer Chiefs are out of the Carling Knockout Cup after losing to Stellenbosch FC on penalties in the first round of the competition at the DHL Stadium on Sunday, October 5, 2025.

The Soweto giants have had the better of Stellenbosch FC since the arrival of Nasreddine Nabi last season, but the Stellies got one over Amakhosi as they booked a spot in the quarter-finals of the cup competition.

Amakhosi have now joined Mamelodi Sundowns, a team that also lost on penalties to Marumo Gallants, on the list of teams that’ve been knocked out of the cup competition.

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Stellenbosch Knock Chiefs Out of CKO

It was the second meeting between Stellenbosch FC and Kaizer Chiefs this season, with the Glamour Boys having won their first encounter 2-0 in the Betway Premiership.

The match was delayed by 30 minutes as fans were still streaming into the stadium by the intended kickoff time.

Both teams started cautiously, feeling each other out during a tense opening spell. The first real opportunity of the match arrived in the 12th minute, but Khomotjo Lekoloane couldn’t keep his effort on target, leaving the game goalless in its early stages.

Kaizer Chiefs' summer signing Khanyisa Mayo was close to breaking the deadlock after Lekoloane's strike, but his powerful shot from outside the box hit the woodwork and deflected wide.

In the 17th minute, Glody Lilepo tested Oscarine Masuluke with a sharp effort from a tight angle, but the Stellenbosch goalkeeper reacted well to push it behind for a corner.

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Dillan Solomons tried his luck with an ambitious strike in the 29th minute, narrowly missing the target, while Genino Palace tested Fiacre Ntwari six minutes later.

Just before the half-time break, Lilepo’s well-struck free kick was denied by Oscarine Masuluke, ensuring the sides went into the break with the score still level at 0-0.

In the 53rd minute, Mayo was at it again and forced a fine save from Masuluke, but the Stellenbosch goalkeeper couldn’t continue and was replaced by Sage Stephens just after the hour mark.

Late efforts from Devin Titus and Mduduzi Shabalala failed to find the mark, with the teams remaining deadlocked at 0-0 after ninety minutes.

Extra time brought no breakthrough, sending the tie to a penalty shootout, where Stellenbosch FC triumphed 5-4 to advance.

Barker talks tough ahead of Kaizer Chiefs' tie

Briefly News also reported that Steve Barker was confident ahead of Stellenbosch FC's tie against Kaizer Chiefs.

The South African tactician lost all the games he faced Amakhosi last season, and their first match this campaign ended in favour of the Soweto-based club.

Source: Briefly News