Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Cedric Kaze has stepped forward to defend goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari following a controversial moment where the player refused to be substituted late in their Carling Knockout loss to Stellenbosch FC.
The drama unfolded during the crucial final moments of extra-time at Cape Town Stadium.
With the match deadlocked and a penalty shootout imminent, the Chiefs technical bench prepared to execute a tactical substitution, readying Bruce Bvuma, who is known for his penalty-saving prowess, to come on.
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That being said, when Kaze and fellow assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef called Ntwari to the touchline, the goalkeeper flatly declined to leave the field.
Despite the highly visible act of defiance, Ntwari went on to make an impressive save on Stellenbosch’s very first penalty kick. Tragically for Amakhosi, it wasn’t enough, as they ultimately crashed out of the competition, losing the shootout 5-4.
Kaze Plays Down Goalkeeper’s Defiance
Speaking to SuperSport TV after the defeat, Kaze moved quickly to downplay the controversy, insisting that Ntwari’s actions were driven by a desire to help the team, not outright insubordination.
“I believe in that kind of situation, it’s something that we’re going to handle internally,” Kaze stated, keen to manage the public perception of the incident.
He continued, emphasizing the player’s motivation: “But he felt that he was comfortable to go on under the penalty and help the team. It was coming from a good intention. Maybe the way wasn’t as good as it should be, but it’s something that we will address internally.”
Pressure Mounts on Technical Team
The elimination intensifies the pressure on the entire technical team, which has faced a turbulent period following the recent departure of head coach Nasreddine Nabi. Kaze and Ben Youssef, who arrived alongside Nabi, are now navigating the high expectations of the Soweto giants.
When directly questioned about his own future at the club, Kaze remained diplomatic, deferring all decisions to the management.
“I believe that’s a question that should be directed to the management,” he said. “From this time, we are the coaches of Kaizer Chiefs, and until further notice or something else is decided by the management, I’m pretty sure they will let everyone know.”
Chiefs must now attempt to regroup swiftly as they shift their focus to continental duty, where they face a challenging CAF Confederation Cup clash against Simba FC.