Latest news with #Inacio
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Kaizer Chiefs focus on consistency over revenge ahead of Polokwane City clash
REVENGE might be a dish best served cold but Miguel Inacio says Kaizer Chiefs have long put their defeat by Polokwane City behind them and Amakhosi will thus not be trotting on to the FNB Stadium pitch with vengeance on their mind. Chiefs' failure to qualify for the top eight a second season running had much to do with the goalless draw they played against the team from the Limpopo capital and many are of the view it is time to get even. 'It's not a revenge game for us,' the Chiefs skipper told the media during the club's open day in Naturena on Tuesday. 'We just have to do our best to win the match. Last season we were not at our best but now that we've started this season we are confident.' He agrees it will not be easy against a City side that has already been beaten by Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 and were held to a goalless draw by their hometown rivals Magesi FC in their Betway Premiership opener. 'It's going to be a tough game but we are playing at home and we have to do what we can to put our ideas to action. It will be a good game and hopefully we can come out with a win,' said Inacio. Now officially the captain of Chiefs, the well-travelled defender reiterated his stance that opening the 2025/26 campaign with a victory – a 2-0 defeat of 10-man Stellenbosch FC – was the best thing they could have done for themselves. 'It was an important win,' he said 'Starting the league with a win is always good to give us the positive mood for the season but we need to go on and keep doing the right things.' Such was the wretched nature of Chiefs' previous campaign they struggled to string together successive wins and thus beating Polokwane City on Wednesday night would surely give them impetus for this current one. Though intent on helping the team shine much brighter than they did last time around, Inacio is a wily old campaigner who knows not to raise anyone's expectations unduly. 'Of course, we can state that we always do well against Stellenbosch so we must focus on the next game. I think the team understands that already. We know that what was lacking last season was consistency so that's the biggest challenge we have this season,' said Inacio. "And I think we have already shown that we can do better because we have a clean sheet (from the opening match). Last season we conceded 2-1 against Marumo, so there's already a difference. "The challenge is to try and win not just two matches (in a row) but three or four or five. And that's what we want to try to do this season and I think we are capable of doing it.' He has warned against the Amakhosi faithful having too many expectations on the club. "Expectations are dangerous. They can create a lot of things in your mind. So, I think you have to live in the moment; you have to enjoy the moment. Last season when I arrived there were a lot of expectations about what we can achieve; about what we can do. "l think we had good achievements but there were also some bad moments. So, for this season, I will live game by game and try to do my best. Every training and every game I will try to focus on today and not what can happen next week. "The big difference will be to go game by game without a lot of expectations; not thinking of what we can achieve because thinking only about the next game will be easy for everybody.'
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
As well as Gyokeres: Amorim plots reunion with 23-y/o ‘phenomenal' Portugal int'l available for cut-price fee
As well as Gyokeres: Amorim plots reunion with 23-y/o 'phenomenal' Portugal int'l available for cut-price fee Amidst Manchester United's ongoing pursuit of Sporting Lisbon talisman Viktor Gyokeres, Ruben Amorim has set his sights on a reunion with another former player. Indeed, the Red Devils have been linked with Sporting's highly-rated centre-half, Goncalo Inacio, for a second consecutive summer. Advertisement This time last year, United had opted to go all-out in their pursuit of teenage prospect Leny Yoro, who has since become an integral cog in Amorim's project at Old Trafford, as well as a more experienced — but still young — addition in the form of Matthijs de Ligt. Amorim plots Inacio reunion after senior Reds depart Inacio has played a key role in Sporting retaining their league title this term. (Photo by) Reinforcements are necessary yet again this summer, though, after United bid farewell to Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans at the end of the campaign when their contracts expired. INEOS chiefs did opt to keep hold of Harry Maguire by activating his one-year extension, ensuring he's tied to Old Trafford until the culmination of 2025/2026. It remains to be seen what their plans are with him when that deal approaches its end. Advertisement Nonetheless, Inacio, 23, poses as a proven and surprisingly affordable option to add to the ranks. He has a £50 million release clause included in his terms, although numerous outlets have claimed Sporting would accept a cut-price fee of £33m to sanction his exit. Inacio has his pick of three Premier League suitors when the window reopens Inacio made 187 appearances across five-and-a-half seasons under Amorim, which bodes well in United's favour if they are to reignite their interest in the coming months. Portuguese outlet O Joga, relayed by CaughtOffside, claims the Reds and arch-rivals Liverpool are among the teams mulling over a move for the 'phenomenal' 16-capped international this summer, while Newcastle United are also keeping tabs from afar. Advertisement One issue, of course, is that Arne Slot and Eddie Howe can offer Inacio the chance to play Champions League football next season, whereas he'll be in for a considerably quieter term should he make the move to Manchester. More Stories / Latest News As well as Gyokeres: Amorim plots reunion with 23-y/o 'phenomenal' Portugal int'l available for cut-price fee Jun 11 2025, 11:10 Sky: 'The deal is off' – United now braced for approach from PL rivals after they miss out on first-choice target Jun 11 2025, 9:18 'Here we go': Romano confirms seismic Premier League transfer which is set to have major implications on United's summer Jun 11 2025, 8:15
