Rwanda Coach Urges Kaizer Chiefs to Give Fiacre Ntwari More Game Time

Rwanda national team coach Adel Amrouche has called on Kaizer Chiefs to either give goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari more opportunities or allow him to move on. The 26-year-old, who joined the club last season, has made just one appearance in all competitions this campaign, serving as backup to Brandon Petersen.

Ahead of Rwanda’s FIFA World Cup qualifier in Mbombela, Amrouche stressed that Ntwari has the talent and temperament to rank among Africa’s best goalkeepers. “I had a good discussion with Ilyes, the coach of Kaizer Chiefs,” Amrouche said. “I cannot tell you the work of the coaches, but only to make the team have that communication and how we can maintain Fiacre in good shape, and also in that level of competition. It’s not easy and I am happy to have that collaboration with the coaches everywhere, especially with this coach for Kaizer Chiefs, coach Nabi and Ilyes, the goalkeeper coach.”

While careful not to criticise the club’s technical staff, Amrouche was firm about Ntwari’s need for regular football. “With respect to the coach who plays, of course, this is football, and this is the choice of the coach. But Fiacre, in my opinion, is one of the best goalkeepers in Africa. He is very talented, very disciplined and very positive. I never heard from him something negative about his club. He loves his club, he has a very good relationship with his teammates, and all the players love him. It’s difficult, but I am happy he finds me in the team because I give him all that confidence and also the team gives him all that confidence to be number one in the team. I wish him all the best. I can’t talk because I respect the goalkeeper who plays and I respect the work of the coach. But I think if you don’t let him play, you let him go.”

Ntwari continues to shine on international duty, remaining Rwanda’s first-choice goalkeeper and a standout performer in their World Cup qualifying campaign. His performances have reinforced Amrouche’s belief that regular club football is crucial for his development and for maintaining his form at the international level.