Stellenbosch captain Sage Stephens has warned his team to expect a difficult Carling Knockout tie against a confident Durban City FC side. The last-16 match will be played at Chatsworth Stadium on Wednesday evening, with the hosts aiming to secure a first-ever win over their opponents.

Durban City enter the contest on a high after sealing their place in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages with a 3-0 away win over AS Port Louis 2000 last Saturday. That result completed a 6-1 aggregate victory and extended their current winning run to two matches. Despite this cup success, their league form has been inconsistent, leaving them 10th in the Betway Premiership with just seven points from eight games, a record of one win, four draws and three losses. They have scored only five goals while conceding seven in the league this season. They face a daunting trip to league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday 1 November, making a deep cup run a welcome distraction from a league campaign where they trail the leaders by sixteen points.

Stephens recalls trophy triumph

Stephens, one of four remaining players from the Stellenbosch side that won this competition in 2023, acknowledged the special nature of the knockout format.

The history between the two clubs suggests a tight affair. All three of their previous meetings have ended in draws, a record Durban City striker Fezile Gcaba is eager to break. Gcaba knows all about making history in this tournament, having scored a hat-trick in the club's first-ever Carling Knockout Round of 16 fixture last season, a 4-1 win over Polokwane City. "Last season was a special moment for me and the Club because it was our first-ever game in the Carling Knockout," Gcaba said.

With their continental place secured, Durban City can now focus fully on domestic matters. A victory would send them into the quarter-finals and provide a significant boost ahead of a challenging schedule. The team's recent form shows two wins, one draw and two losses from their last five outings across all competitions, a sequence that includes a 3-0 loss to ASPL 2000 on Sunday 25 October and a 3-1 victory over the same opponent on Sunday 18 October. They will need to be at their best to overcome a Stellenbosch side with proven cup pedigree. The match kicks off at 19h00 on Wednesday at Chatsworth Stadium.

Background and full detail: sowetan.co.za