Kaizer Chiefs FC suffered a defeat in the Telkom Knockout on Sunday after goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari refused to be substituted just before the penalty shootout. The club's caretaker co-coach, Cedric Kaze, had planned to replace Ntwari with Bruce Bvuma close to the end of extra time in the goalless first-round tie in Cape Town. However, Ntwari signalled to the Chiefs' bench that he would not come off, forcing the coaches to abandon the planned change. Ntwari saved the first Stellenbosch spot kick, but was then beaten five times while Chiefs missed two penalties to lose the shootout 5-4 before a sell-out 45,000 crowd. The 26-year-old goalkeeper joined Chiefs last season from fellow top-flight club TS Galaxy and lost his starting place a few months later after conceding four goals in a League Cup match. He was recalled against Stellenbosch for his first start this season under an agreement that he would replace first choice Brandon Peterson in cup ties. Defeat was another blow for Chiefs, who have won a record 53 domestic competitions, but only one in the past 10 seasons. Despite the lack of success, Chiefs remain the most popular club in South Africa, drawing a 100,000 crowd to a league match against arch rivals Orlando Pirates last season. The club will look to bounce back from this defeat and regain their winning form. And with Ntwari's performance, Chiefs will have to re-evaluate their goalkeeping situation. But for now, the focus is on the next match and getting back to winning ways. So, Chiefs will have to regroup and come back stronger. The Telkom Knockout defeat is a setback, but the club is confident of turning things around. Ntwari has been included in the Rwanda squad for a World Cup qualifier away to South Africa on October 14 that could decide whether the home team reach the 2026 tournament in North America.