Exclusive: Rwanda coach takes stance on Kaizer Chiefs keeper Ntwari’s controversy

The controversy surrounding Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Fabrice Ntwari has taken an interesting turn with a key figure in his home country backing him.

The 25-year-old courted controversy during a Carling Knockout match on Sunday. He refused to come out for substitute Bruce Bvuma during extra-time with post-match penalties looming.

Eventually, Chiefs lost 5-4 to Stellenbosch FC and soon fingers were pointed at Ntwari as having contributed to the defeat.

Rwanda coach Adel Amrouche comments on the saga

”It was not issue. It is the responsibility of the goalkeeper, his belief and determination. His coach was professional and he understood that situation because you must play football to feel that,” Amrouche told Pan-Africa Football.

What did Kaizer Chiefs coach Kaze say?

In a post-match, Chiefs assistant coach Cedric Kaze defended Ntwari, saying his refusal to come out was driven by good intentions

“I believe in such kind of situations it is something that we will handle internally, but he felt that he was comfortable to go on the penalties 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’ll address internally,” the Burundian is quoted as saying.

Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef are in temporary charge of Chiefs with head coach Nasreddine Nabi absent, amid talk that the Tunisian has walked out on the demanding job. After a bright start, the Soweto giants now find themselves winless in four straight domestic games.

Chiefs went into Sunday’s match after having dropped points in the Betway Premiership last week sharing the spoils with Marumo Gallants at 1-1.

⚽ Follow Pan-Africa Football across platforms for real-time news and stories.