Cedric Kaze Explains Fiacre Ntwari's Sub Refusal in Kaizer Chiefs’ Loss to Stellenbosch FC

• Cedric Kaze has explained what happened during Kaizer Chiefs' defeat against Stellenbosch FC in the Carling Knockout Cup
• The Amakhosi assistant coach spoke on the drama that ensued after Fiacre Ntwari refused to be substituted before the penalty shootout
• The Glamour Boys supporters also had something to say about the issue on social media

Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Cedric Kaze has addressed the confusion surrounding the goalkeeper substitution involving Fiacre Ntwari and Bruce Bvuma before the team’s penalty shootout loss to Stellenbosch FC in the Carling Knockout.

The Glamour Boys were defeated 5-4 on penalties by the Stellies after the 120 minutes of play at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town ended in a goalless draw on Sunday, October 5, 2025.

The game was Ntwari's first start for the Soweto giants since November 2024, and he kept a clean sheet over 90 minutes plus extra time.

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The Rwandan international made a crucial save of the first spot kick, but misses from Tashreeq Morris and Dillan Solomons ultimately handed Stellenbosch FC the win.

Kaze on Ntwari's sub refusal

Kaze, who is one of the stand-in coaches as Nasreddine Nabi decided to part ways with Chiefs, and the technical team decided to sub Bvuma on for the penalty shootout, but Ntwari felt he's good enough and confident to be the hero for Amakhosi.

“I believe situations like that are best handled internally,” he said.

“He [Ntwari] told us he felt confident to continue and wanted to take responsibility for the penalty to help the team.

"His intentions were good, even if the execution wasn’t what we expected. It’s something we’ll discuss and address within the group.

"We move forward from this and focus on preparing for the next matches.”

Fans also shared their thoughts on Kaze's explanation about Ntwari's refusal to come off before the penalty shootout.

Andrew Moshugi said:

"I hope the focus won't be turned to Ntwari and made a scapegoat. He saved 1 penalty for God's sake. The elephant in the room is the Coaching (or lack of it). It boggles my mind that their best player Sirino only came on 10 minutes before the game ended."

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SHUKRAN NABI wrote:

"They are clueless, imagine wanting to put in Bvuma, when has he ever saved a penalty. Ntwari did well to disobey umbhedo."

Lucky_mhlanga23 shared:

"They were confused actually the same Bvuma they wanted to introduce has never saved a penalty in all penalties he faced at Chiefs let alone the time where he dived to one side the whole shootout one day and saved nothing imagine that."

Malum'lum reacted:

"The only thing to address here is for them to leave. The patience is gone. We are playing non productive football. No threat whatsoever. We can't be held ransom because they won us Nedbank. We have no clue on our playing strategy. We are running like headless chickens."

Rerorotlhe-Re mmogo commented:

"He should also explain why they brought in Morris, I'd like to hear his view on that aswell."

Hlase Bhovungane added:

"I saw match officials signalling that they used all their subs. I think Ntwari is not at fault here the coaches made a blunder."

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Kaze names Chiefs' unsung hero

Briefly News earlier reported that Kaze pointed out the unsung hero at Kaizer Chiefs amid the club's current struggle.

The Glamour Boys are struggling without the presence of Nabi, but one player stood out for the assistant coach.

Source: Briefly News