Kaze reveals Kaizer Chiefs’ punishment for goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari

Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Cedric Kaze has revealed that Fiacre Ntwari was fined heavily and dropped to third-choice goalkeeper after refusing to leave the field during a Carling Knockout penalty shootout defeat by Stellenbosch FC.

The incident took place at Cape Town Stadium in October last year, when Kaizer Chiefs prepared to replace Ntwari with Bruce Bvuma late in extra time ahead of the expected shootout.

Ntwari signalled that he did not want to come off, forcing the technical team to abandon the substitution. Stellenbosch FC subsequently won the shootout 5-4.

Kaze said the club’s response was intended to underline the authority of the coaching staff and establish clear standards within the dressing room. The exact value of the fine imposed on Ntwari was not disclosed, but it was described as substantial.

“It was difficult for me to swallow that one. It’s a lack of respect for the technical team. It’s a lack of respect for the player that is coming to sub you. It’s a lack of respect for the other players that are on the bench,” Kaze said on SuperSport’s Giants Documentary.

Although Ntwari had saved Stellenbosch FC’s first penalty in the shootout, his refusal to be substituted was judged unacceptable by the Kaizer Chiefs hierarchy.

The Rwandan goalkeeper was subsequently moved down the pecking order at Naturena, with Brandon Petersen and Bvuma placed ahead of him. His demotion effectively brought an end to his prospects of regular first-team football for Kaizer Chiefs.

Kaze said the punishment also sent a message to the rest of the squad about the consequences of refusing instructions. The club was determined to preserve discipline in a dressing room that had come under scrutiny during a difficult period.

Ntwari has since joined Mpumalanga-based Kruger United on loan for the 2026/27 season.

Kaze and fellow assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef left Kaizer Chiefs in May 2026 after their two-year contracts expired.

The pair worked as co-coaches during the 2025/26 campaign after head coach Nasreddine Nabi departed in October 2025. They oversaw 39 matches in all competitions.