Kaizer Chiefs legend Brian Baloyi has expressed skepticism regarding the club’s recent acquisition of goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari. Despite Ntwari’s impressive credentials, including being Rwanda’s No.
1 keeper and a strong first season with TS Galaxy, Baloyi insists that all four of Chiefs’ goalkeepers have an equal opportunity to claim the coveted number one jersey. Among them, Baloyi sees a promising future for the relatively overlooked 21-year-old Bontle Molefe.
Ntwari, 24, recently joined Chiefs from TS Galaxy, bringing with him the experience of 24 games, nine clean sheets, and 23 goals conceded in all competitions last season. His move to Amakhosi has raised expectations, but Baloyi is cautious, citing the unique pressures of playing for a club like Chiefs.
Read: Top international star confirms his move to Kaizer Chiefs on Instagram !
“He is a good keeper but I’ve always maintained that to play for Chiefs you need a big heart. I am hoping Chiefs have done proper research on him because being good at Galaxy doesn’t mean you’ll be good at Chiefs. Chiefs are a different ball game and the pressure there is too much,” Baloyi told Sowetan.
While acknowledging Ntwari’s abilities, Baloyi refrained from guaranteeing his success at Chiefs. “Only time will tell. I have seen him playing for his country, Rwanda, he’s really a decent keeper. But I can’t put my head on the block and say he’s a good signing for Chiefs because Chiefs have made too many mistakes in the past with signings. Let’s see if he will be better than what we [as Chiefs] have.”
Baloyi’s endorsement of Bontle Molefe as a potential first-choice keeper adds an interesting dimension to the competition. Molefe, who is recovering from a wrist injury, has been working hard under the watchful eye of new goalkeeper coach Ilyes Mzoughi in Turkey, where Chiefs are holding their preseason camp.
Read: Sibongiseni Mthethwa Biography: Salary, Net Worth, Age, Transfer Fee and Career
“Right now, anyone of the four can claim the No 1 jersey, even Bontle…I look at him, especially with the new goalkeeper coach, as someone who can step up,” said Baloyi. He drew parallels between Molefe’s current situation and his own early career, noting, “He’s in a situation I was in when I was young, where after two seasons when I signed for Chiefs, there was a South African international goalkeeper [Steve Crawley] and [Congolese Eshele] Botende but I managed to challenge them to be No1.”
Baloyi believes Molefe, who has been mentored by veteran keeper Itumeleng Khune, could seize this opportunity. “He [Molefe] has learnt from Itu [Itumeleng Khune] and this could be his breakthrough season. It has happened a lot at Chiefs that they pay a lot of money to sign a new goalkeeper only for a young keeper to step up… it happened with me when they had signed Steve Crawley.”
Baloyi also expressed disappointment over the club’s decision not to renew Khune’s contract when it expired in June, despite Khune’s desire to continue playing. He felt that Mzoughi could have revitalized Khune’s career. “I think the new goalkeeper coach [Mzoughi] would have reinvented Itu. So, for me, the club missed the opportunity. Now it’s up to him to decide if he retires or he goes elsewhere,” Baloyi said.
As Chiefs prepare for the upcoming season, the competition for the number one spot remains intense. Ntwari’s track record and the promise shown by Petersen, Bvuma, and particularly Molefe, ensure that the battle for the top goalkeeper position will be one of the key narratives to watch.
Ntwari’s Record at TS Galaxy:
- Played: 24 games
-
Clean sheets: 9
-
Goals conceded: 23
With preseason in full swing and the team training in Turkey, Chiefs fans will be eagerly anticipating who will emerge as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper under the new management and coaching staff.
Read: Quinton Fortune Current Job In 2023
Discover more from 45Min Football
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
