Kaizer Chiefs captain and defender Inacio Miguel has reflected on his first Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates, saying he rates the fixture as the real derby on the continent.
The 29 year old joined Amakhosi at the start of the season and has established himself as a regular starter under Nasreddine Nabi with 14 matches across all competitions and has one goal. Miguel has spent most his career in Portugal but was with Petro de Luanda in Angola before his move to Naturena.
He says though Chiefs didn’t get the desired result going down 1-0 late in the game controversially to their bitter rivals, it was exciting going into game with friends and family sending him well wishes and others tips of how handle the magnitude of the game. The result left Chiefs in fifth position with 21 points in 15 matches.
“Yeah, it was my first Soweto Derby. Emotions were of course everywhere,” said Miguel to Chiefs media.
“It was an amazing day for me to feel the real derby of Africa, for me it’s the biggest derby in the continent.
“So yeah it was unfortunate that we couldn’t make the victory but as a derby, as a first derby I was excited and tried to give my best to help the team.
“In the beginning of the game I was very happy and of course in the end of the game I was disappointed.
“I received a lot of messages from also for example my friend Hugo [Marques] that played in South Africa was giving me tips on how to keep calm in these kind of games.
“It’s not a normal game, it’s the first time that I experienced it with so many supporters on the stands. And a lot of family they sent me love to keep doing my best to try to help the team, it was amazing this day.”
Chiefs welcome AmaZulu who are on a winning streak at FNB Stadium on Tuesday evening in the league, with Miguel saying the match provides an opportunity for his side to right Saturday’s wrongs and try to climb higher on the table.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a derby, if it’s a cup game, it doesn’t matter the game that we lose the next game we have to search for the victory,” added the Angolan.
“And tomorrow it will be another day that we have to make the comeback. We have the opportunity to change it again and to go to the top of the league or at least to stay close. This is our main goal.
“Game after game we don’t rush, we don’t press we just have to do the things as they are clear with the coach and the players we know what we have to do. So tomorrow is another day to give our best and search for the three points.”
