Kaizer Chiefs head coach Cedric Kaze will lead his side into a Nedbank Cup Round of 32 clash against Stellenbosch this evening, with Amakhosi looking to extend their impressive run.
Chiefs come into the fixture buoyed by a 1-0 CAF Confederation Cup victory over ZESCO, and are currently on a seven-match unbeaten streak across all competitions.
The Soweto giants have history on their side, having beaten Stellenbosch in all three of their previous Nedbank Cup meetings, including a 3-0 win in 2016/17 and a 3-1 triumph in last season’s quarterfinal.
However, Stellenbosch knocked Chiefs out of the Carling Knockout Cup earlier this campaign, and tonight’s encounter marks the sixth overall cup meeting between the two sides.
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Speaking ahead of the match, Kaze acknowledged the weight of expectation that comes with being defending champions.
“Being defending champions isn’t going to make anything easier; it’s going to make it difficult — everyone wants to beat the defending champions,” he said. “We know what’s at stake, and expectations are very high. We’re going up against a very good team.”
Asked whether Chiefs would be seeking revenge for their Carling Knockout exit, Kaze dismissed the notion.
“There is no revenge in football; it is just another game that we need to prepare for,” he added.
On the issue of goalscoring, the coach pointed to injuries earlier in the season but expressed confidence in the squad’s improving depth, saying, “We had many injuries, such as Lilepo and Sirino, but players are coming back now, and we will get better with the quality we need.”
Reflecting on the team’s unbeaten streak, he credited tactical clarity and belief.
“When players know the tactics, understand our weaknesses and strong points, and believe in what you are showing, that gives them more confidence,” he concluded.