Kaizer Chiefs new star sets sights on more trophies after CUFA Cup.
Chiefs defender Inácio Miguel expressed his excitement following the team’s triumph in the CUFA Cup on Sunday, encouraging his teammates to strive for more trophies this season. Miguel, who captained Chiefs in the inaugural CUFA Cup match against Marumo Gallants at the Free State Stadium, highlighted the importance of building on this success.
At 28 years old, Miguel has emerged as a key figure in Chiefs’ defence, playing every match so far this season and even contributing a goal. However, the team has yet to keep a clean sheet in any official match. After lifting his first trophy, Miguel shared his joy on Instagram, stating, “Leadership is an action, not a position.” He said as quoted by iDiski Times.
“Happy for the effort & quality the team showed today, & happy also to contribute to bringing a trophy to the Amakhosi nation. Together we are much stronger. Let’s go for more.”
Coach Nabi calls for urgent improvement in finishing
Despite the victory in the CUFA Cup, Kaizer Chiefs’ head coach Nasreddine Nabi pinpointed critical areas needing improvement, particularly the team’s finishing. Following the nail-biting penalty shootout against Marumo Gallants, Nabi acknowledged the team’s struggles to convert chances, saying, “It was a very intense game; it was an excellent thing [winning the CUFA Cup], but we created many chances.” He also referenced a recent 2-1 loss to reigning champions Sundowns, emphasising, “They also created a lot of opportunities” but failed to capitalize.
In the decisive penalty shootout, goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma emerged as the standout player, making two crucial saves that secured the trophy for Amakhosi. His impressive performance has caught Nabi’s attention, potentially earning him a starting position in the upcoming Carling Knockout match.
Yusuf Maart, Reeve Frosler, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, and Inácio Miguel all confidently converted their penalties, contributing to the team’s success. Under Nabi’s leadership, Chiefs have played three official matches, winning two against Gallants and AmaZulu. While facing a 2-1 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Fostering a winning mentality
Nabi underscored the importance of cultivating a winning mentality within the squad. “This is a big, big problem [missing scoring opportunities]. I want a winning mentality. There are no friendly games,” he stressed, emphasising that every match, even in practice, demands a positive and competitive attitude. “If I lose, it’s a problem. I don’t sleep. I want this mentality,” he added.
Chiefs will prepare to return to action on the 19th against SuperSport United in the Carling Knockout Cup’s last 16 round.
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