Kaizer Chiefs legend Motsau Joseph “Banks” Setlhodi has weighed in on the dramatic Carling Knockout Cup Last 16 loss to Stellenbosch FC, where Fiacre Ntwari refused to be substituted before the penalty shootout.
Amakhosi’s campaign ended in heartbreak at the Cape Town Stadium on Sunday, going down 5-4 on penalties after the game finished 0-0 over 120 minutes. Both sides struggled to create clear chances, and the game had to be settled from the spot.
The main talking point came just before the shootout. Chiefs’ goalkeeper coach Ilyes Mzoughi signalled for Bruce Bvuma to replace Ntwari, seemingly trusting Bvuma’s ability from 12 yards. But Ntwari stood his ground, flatly refusing to come off.
The Rwanda international stayed on, saving Andre De Jong’s first attempt, but Stellenbosch’s veteran Sage Stephens went on to be the hero with two crucial saves that sealed Stellies’ quarterfinal spot.
KAIZER CHIEFS’ LEGENDARY FORMER GOALKEEPER JOSEPH ‘BANKS’ SETLODI SIDES WITH FIACRE NTWARI
“He [Ntwari] was right [in refusing to be substituted],” Setlhodi told FARPost. “How can they take you out? I mean, the score was 0-0. He did nothing wrong; he kept a clean sheet.
“If you take me out as a goalkeeper, what are you doubting in me? What are you doubting in my abilities? They were going to belittle him. He was right. I was also going to refuse to go out.
“They did not have any evidence to show him a mistake he committed in the game. Also, if Bruce Bvuma was better, why did he not start the game? I stand by Ntwari. Well done to him,” the Chiefs legend concluded.
The game was the goalkeeper’s first start of the season after Brandon Petersen had guarded the posts for all 10 of Amakhosi’s games across competitions.
The call raised eyebrows before kickoff, but interim co-coach Cedric Kaze cleared the air. The Burundian revealed that it was part of a plan set long before the season began. The 26-year-old Ntwari, formerly with TS Galaxy, was always earmarked to take the gloves in the Carling Knockout.
Coming up next for Amakhosi is a trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo to battle AS Simba in the CAF Confederation Cup second round preliminary qualifiers.
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