Fiacre Ntwari has received a call-up to the Rwanda national team despite making only a single appearance for Kaizer Chiefs this season. The 26-year-old goalkeeper has been included in the latest Amavubi squad by new head coach Stephen Constantine.
The development shows, once again, just how highly he is rated by his country despite a frustrating campaign at club level.
Ntwari has made only one appearance for Chiefs this season, in the Carling Knockout Cup, after missing part of the campaign due to shoulder surgery late last year. Although he has since returned to the match-day squad, he has largely played second fiddle.
That was evident ahead of the recent Soweto Derby, when an injury to Brandon Petersen appeared to open the door for Ntwari. Instead, Chiefs’ technical team turned to Bruce Bvuma, who has started the last three matches.
Since making his senior debut in November 2021, Ntwari has consistently been Rwanda’s first-choice goalkeeper despite several coaching changes. When he reports for duty next week, he will now serve under his sixth national team boss, having previously worked with Vincent Mashami, Carlos Alós, Gérard Buscher, Torsten Spittler and Adel Amrouche.
Over the past 17 months, Rwanda has played nine matches, and Ntwari has started every one, maintaining a firm grip on the No.1 jersey.
NTWARI TIPPED TO BE ONE OF THE BEST ON THE CONTINENT
Former Amavubi coach Amrouche has previously highlighted the qualities that keep Ntwari ahead of the pack, even during periods of inactivity at club level. “He plays well with his feet, he is tall and has good reflexes. He gives confidence to the defence,” Amrouche told FARPost in a previous interview.
“His behaviour is exemplary, he’s very positive within the team and demonstrates a high level of professionalism. He’s really the future, not only for Rwanda but for African football as well.”
The former Tanzania national team coach also said he believes the former TS Galaxy goalkeeper “can be one of the best goalkeepers in Africa.”
Now, under Constantine’s tutelage, Ntwari will have another opportunity to reinforce that belief during the upcoming FIFA Series in Kigali. Rwanda face Grenada on March 27 at Amahoro Stadium, before a second fixture against either Kenya or Estonia.
Meanwhile, Chiefs’ co-coach Cedric Kaze returns to the international scene after receiving a formal invitation from the Burundi Football Association. The Burundian FA has reached out to Amakhosi to secure the services of the 44-year-old in a technical advisory role for their crucial AFCON qualifying double-header against Chad later this month.
The request emphasises the high regard in which Kaze is held in his homeland. Between 2007 and 2015, he progressed through Burundi’s national teams, from the Under-17s to the senior side.
His achievements in Burundi are well known. He led Atlético Olympic to consecutive league championships [2010/11 and 2011/12] and earned the Coach of the Year award in each season.
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