Kaizer Chiefs lost on penalties to Stellenbosch FC in the Carling Knockout Cup on Sunday after goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari refused to be substituted just before the shootout.
Amakhosi’s coaching staff wanted to replace the Rwandan ‘keeper with Bruce Bvuma close to the end of extra-time in the goalless first-round tie at the Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town.
But Ntwari signalled to Kaizer Chiefs’ bench that he would not come off, forcing the coaches to abandon the planned change.
Beaten five times in a row
Ntwari saved the first Stellenbosch FC spot kick, but was then beaten five times in a row while Kaizer Chiefs missed two penalties to lose the shootout 5-4 before a sell-out 45 000 crowd.
In a post-match interview, Kaizer Chiefs caretaker co-coach Cedric Kaze refused to say whether disciplinary action would be taken against Ntwari.
The 26-year-old goalkeeper joined Kaizer Chiefs last season from fellow top-flight club TS Galaxy, but lost his starting place a few months later after conceding four goals in a Cup match.
He was recalled against Stellenbosch FC for his first start this season under an agreement that he would replace first choice Brandon Peterson in cup ties.
Ntwari has been included in the Rwanda squad for a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier away to South Africa on October 14 that could decide whether the home team reach the 2026 tournament in North America.
Another blow
The defeat was another blow for Kaizer Chiefs, who have won a record 53 domestic competitions, but only one in the past 10 seasons.
Elsewhere, Magesi FC, who stunned Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2024 Carling Cup final, began their title defence with a dramatic 3-2 away win over AmaZulu in Durban.
A Magesi free-kick in the first minute of added time struck Thabiso Kutumela and the ball looped over goalkeeper Darren Johnson into the net for an own goal.
Magesi will be away again in the quarter-finals, this time against Orlando Pirates, whom they shocked in the first round last season.
Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final draw:
Golden Arrows vs TS Galaxy
Marumo Gallants vs Stellenbosch
Orlando Pirates vs Magesi
Richards Bay vs Durban City
TEAMS
Stellenbosch FC
Masuluke (30) (Stephens (17) 61’); Mcaba (26), Mokobodi (29), Moloisane (24), Manafov (2) (Mdaka (3) 91’), Palace (19), Khiba (12) (De Jong (18) 72’), Mthiyane (21), Lekoloane (8)( Cupido (9) 46’), Titus © (34) (Mojela (10) 105’), Khanyi (15) (Barns (20) 61’)
Subs not used: Enyinnaya (16), Butsaka (33), Jabaar (27)
Coach: Steve Barker
Kaizer Chiefs
Ntwari (71), Solomons (18), Kwinika (captain – 4), Miguel (84), Mthethwa (5) (McCarthy (35) 120+1), Ngcobo (12) (Cele (21) 46’), Cross (48), Shabalala (7) (Sirino (10) 89’), Mmodi (13), Lilepo (99) (Morris (40) 119’), Mayo (3) (Du Preez (9) 79’)
Subs not used: Bvuma (44); Frosler (39), Chislett (23), Matlou (22)
Coaches: Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze
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