Kaizer Chiefs' goalkeeping icon argues, 'If Bruce Bvuma was better, why did he not start the game?' Fiacre Ntwari backed after Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef attempted to 'belittle' Rwanda's number one goalkeeper

Kaizer Chiefs legend Motsau Setlhodi has defended Amakhosi goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari following his dramatic refusal to be substituted during the Carling Knockout Cup penalty shootout against Stellenbosch.  

Setlhodi argues that if the coach felt Ntwari was not better, he would not have started, instead of letting him play and getting him out later.

“He [Ntwari] was right [in refusing to be substituted]. How can they take you out? I mean, the score was 0-0. He did nothing wrong; he kept a clean sheet," Setlhodi told FARPost.

“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," he added. 

“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."

Just as the game was heading to penalty shootouts, the Chiefs' technical bench wanted Bruce Bvuma to come on, but the Rwanda international refused to let that happen.

Although Ntwari had a solid game, including saving Stellies' penalty, his refusal to be substituted overshadowed his performance. To make matters even worse, Amakhosi lost.

This was a rare start for Ntwari, who has been playing second fiddle to Brandon Petersen.     

As Ntwari's actions are largely considered indisciplined, what now remains is to see which actions the club will take against him.

The technical bench might even decide to relegate him further down the pecking order.