By Ayanda Nyuswa
Kaizer Chiefs defender Inacio Miguel says Amakhosi are 100% focused on the Nedbank Cup final against Orlando Pirates as they desperately want to bring happiness to the Chiefs fans by ending the decade-long trophy drought. Chiefs will take on bitter rivals Orlando Pirates in a blockbuster Nedbank Cup final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday.
This encounter will complete the Soweto derby double-header after the two sides met in the Betway Premiership at the FNB stadium last weekend, where the Bucaneers came out as 2-1 victors. The win was Jose Riveiro’s 5th consecutive Soweto derby triumph, which has seen him equal Stuart Baxters record for the most derby wins in the PSL era (5).
Amakhosi will be competing in their first major cup final since they suffered defeat to Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the 2021 CAF Champions League final, and a first domestic cup final since 2019. The clubs’ last piece of silverware came when they secured the 2014/15 league title under Stuart Baxter’s tutelage. Inacio Miguel, who has been one of the key players at the heart of Chiefs’ defence this season with 26 starts and 4 goals, says the team is 100% focused on bringing a happiness to the Chiefs supporters by securing the Nedbank Cup.
“Yeah obviously for the supporters it’s an important game, of course for us we still have a chance to do something this season,” said Miguel speaking to the media at the Kaizer Chiefs village on Monday.
“It’s been a tough season, you know, for now our focus is 100% on this game. To bring happiness back to the Chiefs supporters and that’s the most important thing we have to put in our minds. There is no other option, there is no other choice but to win the game but at least to work hard to win this game. Put the maximum effort to win something in the next game.”
The Angolan defender also gave an update on his fitness ahead of the Nedbank Cup final, after fully recovering from an injury that kept him out for over a month.
“I have been working hard after the injury, my mission was not only the Soweto derby last week, not only the final. Of course my focus was to recover as fast as possible, I am doing my best, I am getting in shape and getting fit. I hope I can help the team on the next game but it’s up to the coach of course.”
