Kaizer Chiefs defender Inácio Miguel has laid down the marker ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster Betway Premiership showdown against Mamelodi Sundowns, declaring that Amakhosi will step onto the pitch fearing no one—regardless of the opposition’s pedigree.
Addressing the media at the Kaizer Chiefs Village in Naturena on Thursday, the central defender revealed the crystal-clear instruction handed down from the bench as Chiefs look to make it three league wins on the spin.
Fresh off a victory over Sekhukhune United, which followed their opening-day win over Kruger United, the Soweto giants have quickly put their MTN8 setback against Golden Arrows behind them and now sit at the top of the table with momentum on their side.
Following Wednesday’s win over Sekhukhune at FNB Stadium, head coach Fernando Da Cruz pointed out that Chiefs must elevate themselves to the standard set by Sundowns and the CAF Champions League if they are to truly compete at the highest level.
When asked about Da Cruz’s remarks, Miguel offered a balanced, grounded, yet fearless perspective on how the squad views the reigning champions—who recently claimed their second continental star by defeating Moroccan powerhouse AS FAR, a side previously led by Da Cruz.
‘WE RESPECT THEM, BUT WE ARE KAIZER CHIEFS’ – INÁCIO MIGUEL
“First of all, we have to respect Sundowns. I think South Africa has to respect Sundowns because they are the champions of Africa,” Miguel said. “So we will face Sundowns with a lot of respect, but we cannot forget who we are. We also have to understand that we have our own capacity to go over Sundowns. We have to look to ourselves; we don’t have to focus on what Sundowns is capable of doing; we have to be focused on what we can do.”
Miguel emphasised that tactical flexibility and mental preparation will be key when locking horns with the Chloorkop-based side.
“The most important thing now is to try to get the maximum energy that we spent last night, to recover as soon as possible, have meetings, and understand how Sundowns want to play,” he explained. “Because playing against Polokwane City won’t be the same as playing against Chiefs—we don’t play the same way. It will be different ways to try to stop us, and we have to understand how we can also hurt them.”
A CLEAR MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEFS COACH
For Miguel and his teammates, the directive from the bench is simple: show respect, but leave reverence at the tunnel entrance.
“Like I said, we have to respect the fact that Sundowns won the Champions League, but Sundowns is Sundowns—and at the same time, we are Kaizer Chiefs,” Miguel asserted. “We also fight for our goals. We fear no one. I think the message is very clear: we fear no one, no matter if they are champions of the Champions League or the PSL.
“We are going to face them as we faced Sekhukhune. We are going to start the game with the same ambition, the same spirit of fighting, and going for every duel. That is the message from the coach.”
Chiefs head into Saturday’s big fixture [15:00] at FNB Stadium in Soweto sitting at the top of the Betway Premiership standings. With six points from a possible six, the Soweto giants boast the confidence needed to push for a third straight victory and firmly establish their title credentials early in the season.
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