Stellenbosch FC knock out Kaizer Chiefs through Devin Titus' glorious long-range winner

Gavin Hunt called it in the pre-match briefing. There is something special about Cup football nights, and Wednesday night’s absorbing Nedbank Cup Round 32 clash between Stellenbosch FC and Kaizer Chiefs at a sold-out DHL Stadium certainly delivered on the hype with the home team taking the spoils 2-1.

The perfect Cape Town summer evening that greeted the players almost made the crowd forget the chaotic traffic leading into the former Fifa World Cup Stadium that caused kickoff to be delayed by 30 minutes. 

But in fact, it almost added to the tension building up, which was momentarily halted for a moment of silence for the late Stellenbosch FC Diski midfielder Jeandre Gaffoor, who passed away this weekend.  

When the action finally got underway, the crowd buzzed throughout for this game had everything from gripping end-to-end action, individual skill, tough tackles, goalmouth action, penalties apiece, scoring opportunities galore and, above all, a splendid winner from Stellenbosch FC’s Devin Titus. 

The opening exchanges were frenetic with Chiefs’ Gaston Sirino afforded an early opportunity, while at the other end Chumani Butsaka headed over Brandon Petersen’s goal within the first five minutes to provide the spark for the home team. 

Before the 10th minute arrived, Stellenbosch had something to reward their early enterprise when Flavio da Silva hacked down Thabo Moloisane down in the area. 

Ibraheem Jabaar stepped up to convert the spot kick, left footing the ball past Petersen to hand Stellies in the advantage. 

The goal came at a discernible price, however, with Moloisane being forced off the field to be replaced by the big Belgian Henry Stanic. 

The DHL Stadium was stunned into silence moments later though when Titus unleashed a glorious shot from 30 metres out that gave Petersen no chance and nestled into the top right corner. It was a goal worthy of the atmosphere and the occasion.

Stellenbosch were now 2-0 up after just 22 minutes and even Gaffoor would be smiling down from the heavens above watching his former teammates. 

But Hunt would have known his former team would not take it lying down. Moments before Titus' goal, Stellies keeper Sage Stephens was forced into making an excellent one-on-one stop from Mduduzi Shabalala to keep the lead intact.

He would be called into action on numerous occasions further during the night, but could not prevent Chiefs from halving the deficit when the home side also conceded a penalty shortly after halftime.

Da Silva calmly tucked the ball away, and the contest was now on a knife-edge with Chiefs' supporters urging their team on to find the equaliser. 

Glody Lilelopo seemed to have found it when the lanky Congolese midfielder struck a rasping shot, but for the Stellies' post to save the day for the home team.

There were numerous close shaves for Stellies right up until the final whistle, although the home side had a couple of chances of their own to put the result beyond doubt, but ultimately glory belonged to the Men in Maroon on a night the Football Gods shined on them.