Kaizer Chiefs second assistant coach Cedric Kaze has addressed the controversy around the substitution of goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari in the Carling Knockout Cup defeat against Stellenbosch.
The Glamour Boys suffered a 5-4 defeat on penalties against the Winelands-based side in the Round of 16 of the Carling Cup at Cape Town Stadium on Sunday.
Chiefs and Stellenbosch played to a dull goalless draw during the 120 minutes before the tie was decided on a penalty shootout. Amakhosi were desperate to display a convincing performance after having a dip in form in the past few matches across all competitions.
In their past game, Chiefs needed penalties to beat the Angolan side Kabuscorp SCP in the first preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup after the match ended 1-1 on aggregate.
Meanwhile, Amakhosi are winless in their last three Betway Premiership matches after playing draws against Marumo Gallants, AmaZulu FC, and losing against Sekhukhune United.
In a tight clash against Stellies, Chiefs had a controversial moment on the bench as they tried to substitute Ntwari with Bruce Bvuma to take the responsibility of the penalty shootout.
However, the Rwandan international defied the instructions of the coaches and refused to come off, signaling his desire to take part in penalties.
WHAT KAZE SAID ABOUT NTWARI SUBSTITUTION SITUATION
Kaze has addressed the big talking point of the match, revealing that the talented goalie wanted to continue to contribute to the team.
“It’s something [bringing in Bvuma for penalties] that we have been planning in training, and these kind of things happens,” Kaze said on SuperSport TV.
“Ntwari said that he’s confident to continue with the match, and we move on. We’re going to prepare for the next games,” he added.
The Soweto giants will have a two-week rest with the FIFA international break on the horizon. Their next match will be on the 17th of October in the second preliminary rounds of the Confederation Cup against the Congolese side AS Simba.
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