HALTING THE MOMENTUM: Stellenbosch out to end AmaZulu’s run

Stellenbosch FC are set to welcome AmaZulu FC to Danie Craven Stadium on Sunday evening for a high-stakes 2026 Carling Knockout Cup quarterfinal tie.

Kick-off is at 6:00 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

Stellies are preparing for this encounter following a 2-0 defeat to Chippa United in their latest Betway Premiership meeting on 31 October, a result that brought a sudden halt to their five-match unbeaten run across all competitions.

Determined to recapture the Carling Knockout Cup trophy they claimed in 2023, Stellenbosch arrive with full focus on making home advantage count and advancing into the semifinals.

AmaZulu, on the other hand, ride into the fixture on a massive wave of momentum after securing a 1-0 victory over Golden Arrows in the league on 31 October, extending their impressive winning streak to six matches across all competitions.

Driven to go all the way and end a 34-year trophy drought - having last lifted this very competition's trophy back in 1992 when it was known as the Coca-Cola Cup - Usuthu will be desperate to leverage their red-hot form and outplay their hosts.

TEAM NEWS

Tlakusani Mthethwa and Kazeem Adeyanju have returned to boost Stellenbosch’s depth, while Mosa Lebusa and Genino Palace remain sidelined.

AmaZulu FC also have squad concerns entering the match, as goalkeeper Darren Johnson remains sidelined with an injury.

Zero suspensions affect either squad for Sunday's clash.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Stellenbosch FC Head Coach Gavin Hunt

“We have a young, young team, with a lot of inexperienced players, and they need to learn how to take the game by the scruff of the neck, and these results will teach them how to play sometimes," Hunt told the club's media.

"We should have won [against Chippa United] though. We had more than enough chances. You come back home and think it’s all going to be swell, and that you’re going to rock up and get three points, but they battled away and you’ve got to give them credit.

"They dug in, and we just didn’t break them down. Right to the death, we had great chances, but that’s football.”

AmaZulu FC Head Coach Arthur Zwane

"It’s a very tough cup match against Stellenbosch – a very, very tough team, a hard-running team. You know coach Gavin is a master of switching tactics," Zwane told reporters.

"As we stand, we don't know whether he’s going to come with three at the back or four. So we keep guessing, simply because of the team they’ve assembled this season – a lot of youngsters, a lot of energy.

"They lost to Chippa 2–0, and they wouldn’t want to lose a second game on the trot at home. They will come out like nobody's business. So we have to brace ourselves for a very difficult competition game."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Stellenbosch FC: The dynamic ex-Orlando Pirates attacker netted a sensational brace against Durban City to single-handedly catapult Stellies into the quarterfinals, and he will march onto the pitch brimming with unshakeable confidence as he looks to replicate that masterclass against AmaZulu.

Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya, AmaZulu FC: The lethal Zimbabwean marksman continued his relentless form by slotting home a clinical winner against Golden Arrows—his 11th goal in as many appearances this campaign—and he possesses the devastating firepower needed to single-handedly orchestrate Usuthu's march into the semifinals.

Head-to-Head (since 2019/20)

PREVIOUS CUP MEETINGS

Season Cup Result Scorers

2024-25 Carling KO, L16 AmaZulu 1-1* Stellenbosch Moremi; Titus

2025-26 MTN8, QF Stellenbosch 3-2** AmaZulu Barns 2, Phili; Allan, Mashigo

*After extra time, Stellenbosch won on penalties

**After extra time

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2021-22 AmaZulu 2-2 Stellenbosch Ceesay, Sikhakhane; Du Preez, Ortiz

2022-23 AmaZulu 1-0 Stellenbosch Bwalya

2022-23 Stellenbosch 2-0 AmaZulu Rayners, Titus