Kaizer Chiefs interim co-head coach Cedric Kaze has confirmed that the club will deal internally with goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari’s decision to defy a substitution order during their Carling Knockout last-16 defeat to Stellenbosch FC at Cape Town Stadium on Sunday.
Ntwari Refuses Substitution Call
In the dramatic encounter that ended goalless after 120 minutes, Chiefs had planned to replace Ntwari with Bruce Bvuma ahead of the penalty shootout. However, Ntwari making his first appearance of the season refused to leave the pitch, insisting he was ready to help his side in the shootout.
Kaze acknowledged the incident after the match, saying it came from a place of determination rather than defiance.
“This is something we are going to handle internally,” Kaze said. “He (Ntwari) was comfortable to go to the penalties and help the team. It came from a good intention, maybe the way he behaved wasn’t as good as it should be.”
Mixed Fortunes in the Shootout
Despite his confidence, Ntwari’s night ended in disappointment. The Rwandan shot-stopper did save Stellenbosch’s first penalty from Andre De Jong, but his opposite number, Sage Stephens, proved the hero by stopping efforts from Tashreeq Morris and Dillon Solomons. Stephens’ heroics sent Stellies into the quarterfinals, continuing Chiefs’ frustrating run in knockout competitions.
Missed Chances Cost Kaizer Chiefs Again
Before the shootout drama, Amakhosi had several opportunities to settle the game in regulation time. Khanyisa Mayo struck the woodwork early, Solomons went close, and Mayo was later denied by Oscarine Masuluke who was injured in the process and replaced by Stephens.
Kaze lamented his team’s failure to convert their dominance into goals.
“We started the game well and were the better team for 90 minutes and in extra time,” he said. “We had opportunities to score. The players did everything they could, but we didn’t finish our chances. Unfortunately, that is football.”
Time to Regroup
With Chiefs’ Carling Knockout campaign over, Kaze believes the upcoming international break will give the squad time to reflect and regroup.
“The break comes at a good time,” he added. “We know what we need to work on. We have good possession and defend well, but we don’t kill games when we get the chance.”
The incident with Ntwari may have sparked debate among fans, but within the club, it appears Chiefs are choosing to treat it as a learning moment rather than a disciplinary crisis.
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