Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari faced a major setback during Rwanda’s 2-1 triumph over Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The 25-year-old was forced off the field with 20 minutes left to play, with initial assessments pointing to a potential meniscus tear.
The injury, sustained during the recent FIFA international break, could see Ntwari sidelined for up to four weeks, depending on the severity.
This leaves Chiefs without their first-choice goalkeeper for pivotal Betway Premiership fixtures, including a clash with Richards Bay FC on Wednesday and a meeting with Royal AM on November 30.
Goalkeeper coach Ilyes Mzoughi faces a tough call on whether to turn to Bruce Bvuma or Brandon Petersen to step in. Ntwari’s absence comes at a critical time, as the team faces mounting scrutiny after a shaky start to the season.
Since joining Chiefs from TS Galaxy earlier this season, Ntwari has featured in every official match for the Soweto giants. However, his performances have drawn criticism, particularly following Chiefs’ 4-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Carling Knockout Cup—a result that contributed to a total of 11 goals conceded in seven matches across all competitions.
Speaking to The New Times in Rwanda, Ntwari defended his displays, stressing that the team’s challenges are a shared responsibility.
“It’s not about me being the problem,” he stated. “The issue is that the team isn’t in a good place right now.
“We started the season well, but over the last three games, we haven’t performed as expected.”
Chiefs, currently eighth in the league with seven points from five matches, have only managed two victories. Ntwari acknowledged the challenges but remained optimistic.
“Sometimes players are at fault, but the only way forward is to keep working hard. We will continue giving everything to ensure the team gets back on track.”
As Chiefs prepare for their upcoming fixtures, the pressure is mounting not just on the players but on the coaching staff to find solutions to their defensive woes in Ntwari’s absence.