In a dramatic Tuesday night encounter at the FNB Stadium, Devin Titus solidified his reputation as a “giant-killer,” netting a brilliant 87th-minute winner to secure a 2–1 victory for Stellenbosch FC over Kaizer Chiefs.
The result deals a severe blow to Amakhosi’s Betway Premiership title aspirations and serves as a somber “dress rehearsal” for their highly anticipated Soweto Derby clash against Orlando Pirates this coming Saturday.
Match Summary: A Tale of Two Halves
The match began with Kaizer Chiefs firmly in control, buoyed by the debut of off-season signing Ethan Chislett. The home side’s dominance was rewarded in the 36th minute when Flavio Silva bundled home a cross from Glody Lilepo to give Chiefs a deserved 1–0 lead heading into the break.
However, the second half saw a tactical shift from Stellenbosch coach Gavin Hunt. The “Maroon” side emerged with renewed vigor, catching the Chiefs defense off guard just six minutes after the restart.
- 51st Minute: Devin Titus turned provider, sending a pinpoint low cross to the far post, where Langelihle Phili was on hand to slot home the equalizer.
- 87th Minute: With the match seemingly heading for a draw, Ibraheem Jabaar found Titus bursting into the box. The winger unleashed a clinical curling finish past Brandon Petersen to seal the comeback.
Impact on the Log Standin
The defeat leaves Kaizer Chiefs in a precarious position as the title race intensifies. Meanwhile, the win provides significant breathing room for Stellenbosch as they move away from the relegation dogfight.
| Team | Position | Points | Games Played |
| Mamelodi Sundowns | 1st | 38 | 17 |
| Orlando Pirates | 2nd | 38 | 17 |
| Kaizer Chiefs | 4th | 30 | 16 |
| Stellenbosch FC | 11th | 19 | 18 |
The “Gavin Hunt” Factor
The victory marks a significant personal milestone for Gavin Hunt, who has now masterminded back-to-back wins against his former employers. Stellies previously knocked Chiefs out of the Nedbank Cup earlier in February, with Titus scoring in that fixture as well.
“We knew they would be focusing on the Derby. We stayed patient, soaked up the pressure in the first half, and used our pace on the transition. Devin [Titus] showed his quality when it mattered most.” — Gavin Hunt, Stellenbosch FC Coach
Looking Ahead
Kaizer Chiefs must now regroup quickly for the Soweto Derby on February 28, where a loss could effectively end their mathematical hopes of catching log-leaders Sundowns. For Stellenbosch, the focus shifts to a home fixture against AmaZulu this Friday, as they look to climb into the top half of the table.
