Goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari has had a tough start to life at Kaizer Chiefs but his former coach has urged him to keep working hard, writes Mazola Molefe.

A goalkeeper during his playing days, former TS Galaxy coach Sead Ramovic has some advice for Fiacre Ntwari of Kaizer Chiefs.

The Serbian worked closely with one of AmaKhosi’s new signings at the start of the 2024/25 season having initially given him his opportunity in the Premier Soccer League topflight when the 25-year-old joined The Rockets.

Ntwari had only kept one clean sheet in his first seven matches despite AmaKhosi investing in the team’s spine – Inacio Miguel, Bradley Cross and Rushine Dortley also recruited in defence – following the appointment of Nasreddine Nabi and his army of backroom staff.

The expectation that a newly assembled team should hit the ground running and have an immediate understanding adds even more pressure.

However, Ramovic told SoccerClub the Rwanda international is capable of taking that in his stride and growing from the experience.

“This is what I always told my players – you have to show real commitment and hunger every day that you want to improve. You have to show the right habits every day and then success will come. I can say he [Ntwari] improved immensely. Do I think he can improve even more? Yes. He is still young at 25, even if Chiefs have had a difficult start to the season,” the coach explained.

“But I am absolutely sure that every player has to go through this negative moment. However, if you can handle the pressure, you will be stronger and that is the case with him. Look at [Bathusi] Aubaas … he is playing at Mamelodi Sundowns and I am happy. The reality is that going to a bigger club, where they have more quality players at a higher level, they have to be mentally strong.

If you cannot get a start in the beginning it does not mean you are a failure. You just have to keep going, improve and your chance will come.”

Ramovic can relate with Ntwari, the 45-year-old coach was on the books of Borussia Monchengladbach and Wolfsburg in the German Bundesliga before hanging up his boots – so he knows what he is talking about.

He made over 200 appearances across various leagues, including the Turkish elite division, before eventually deciding to retire.

But he also pointed out that his character allowed him to thrive in an environment where the fans expect instant results.

The pair also had different settings given that by the time Ramovic played in the Bundesliga he had already crisscrossed around the world, while Ntwari had only played in his native country prior to making the big leap to Galaxy – and then the mighty AmaKhosi.

No excuses, though, Ntwari must have known what he was getting himself into by putting pen to paper at one of the biggest clubs on the continent.

They say you have to be a little crazy to be a keeper and Ntwari might need to pick up a few of these habits if he does not already possess them in his locker.

“I was a goalkeeper in Germany and I always loved to play in front of a full crowd. I had my problems when we played in empty venues, it was always very difficult without any adrenalin,” Ramovic added.

“But he is able to play every game in a packed stadium because Chiefs have the best supporters in South Africa. My advice is for him to enjoy, not every goalkeeper will get this opportunity. I love pressure as a person, but Fiacre has to know himself and his personality.”

Ramovic should perhaps take some credit in getting Ntwari, who signed for Galaxy as a free agent and was then scooped up by the Soweto giants a year later.

During his early days at Naturena some argued that maybe the transfer was premature.

Nabi, on the otherhand, will argue that his new goalkeeper has attributes that ticked a lot of the boxes for Chiefs to go ahead and bring him on board to compete with Brandon Petersen and Bruce Bvuma this season.