Kaizer Chiefs have crashed out of the Carling Knockout in heartbreaking fashion, losing 6-5 on penalties to Stellenbosch FC at the DHL Stadium, a second upset after Mamelodi Sundowns were also sent packing on Saturday night.
The battle ended goalless after 120 minutes, with both sides struggling to carve out clear chances.
The closest moment came early on when Khanyisa Mayo rattled the crossbar in the fourth minute, but from then on it was a tight, tactical, and physical battle.
STELLENBOSCH FC GOALKEEPER SAGE STEPHENS BREAKS KAIZER CHIEFS HEARTS IN THE CARLING KNOCKOUT
High drama hit just before the shootout. Amakhosi keeper Fiacre Ntwari refused to be substituted in the final minute of extra time, insisting he stay on for the penalties.
But it was Stellies’ veteran Sage Stephens who stole the show, pulling off two crucial saves to deny Tashreeq Morris and Dillan Solomons to send the Cape side to the final eight, a tournament they lifted in 2023.
How the two sides lined-up:
Kaizer Chiefs: Ntwari, Cross, Kwinika ©, Miguel, Solomons, Mthethwa, Ngcobo, Shabalala, Mmodi, Lilepo, Mayo
Stellenbosch FC: Masuluke, Mcaba, Mokobodi, Moloisane, Manafov, Palace, Khiba, Mthiyane, Lekoloane, Titus, Khanyi.
Both sides bowed out of the Carling Knockout quarterfinals last term. Amakhosi were hammered 4-0 by Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium, while Marumo Gallants beat Stellenbosch 1-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Meanwhile, seven of the eight Carling Knockout places have been taken by Durban City, Orlando Pirates, TS Galaxy, Golden Arrows, Marumo Gallants, Richards Bay, Stellenbosch FC, while AmaZulu FC and Magesi FC play on Sunday night.
CAF CONFEDERATION CUP FOCUS
Next up, both sides switch focus to continental action. After the FIFA international break, Kaizer Chiefs will travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo to face AS Simba on 17 October, while Stellies make a trip to Equatorial Guinea to battle 15 de Agosto in the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round.