Latest news with #InacioMiguel
The South African
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs set for season finale showdown against Polokwane City
Kaizer Chiefs will bring their 2024/25 Betway Premiership campaign to a close this Saturday when they face Polokwane City at FNB Stadium in their final league match of the season. This crucial 28th encounter comes after a shortened campaign due to the expulsion of Royal AM earlier in the season, leaving all remaining clubs with two fewer fixtures. The stakes are high for both sides. Kaizer Chiefs, currently ninth on the log with 31 points, will be aiming for a win that could see them break into the top eight – a mark they narrowly missed last season. Meanwhile, Polokwane City, sitting in seventh with 33 points, will be fighting to retain their top-half position and will need to avoid defeat to do so. Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi will be boosted by the return of defenders Inacio Miguel and Bradley Cross, who are back from suspension. However, winger Pule Mmodi will miss the game after being sent off in last weekend's 1-1 draw with Sekhukhune United. Off the pitch, fans are in for a treat as Kaizer Chiefs and SAB are hosting a fan appreciation event to celebrate the season's end. The festivities begin at 12:30 with live performances from top local DJs and artists, including Ms Cosmo, Jelly Babie, and DeeJ Yamang. Supporters will also have the unique opportunity to take photos with the recently secured Nedbank Cup trophy. Kick-off for the highly anticipated clash is at 15:00. Tickets are available for R60 and can be purchased online at or in-store at Shoprite and Checkers outlets nationwide. Kaizer Chiefs fans are encouraged to arrive early, wear their gold and black with pride, and show their support as the club closes out a challenging season with one final push. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
07-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs: Real reason behind club's collapse revealed
Kaizer Chiefs are in the midst of an injury nightmare, and a source is blaming a brutal pre-season training regime in Turkey as the root cause. A well-placed source confirmed that a string of injuries, particularly in the defensive department, can be traced back to the club's intense conditioning program before the current Premier Soccer League campaign kicked off. 'The pre-season is to just keep the players fit for the long season,' the source explained. 'But because the training in Turkey was very tough. Most of their bodies could not take in the fatigue of playing week in and week out, hence some of these injuries.' The source stressed that the squad failed to prepare adequately for the physical toll of the season. The team reached their physical limits during the overseas training. While pre-season training aims to build endurance and match readiness, Chiefs' approach may have overstepped the mark. The injury list tells the story. Six key defenders, Inacio Miguel, Given Msimango, Dillan Solomons, Ashwin Dortley, Bongani Sam, and Reeve Frosler, have all gone down. With Frosler reportedly ruled out for the remainder of the season. 'Most of the injuries are believed to have been caused by stiff and tight muscles. Which was contributed by the hard training the team apparently had in the pre-season,' the source added. The toll hasn't stopped with the defence either. According to the insider, 'it's not only the defenders who have been affected by this tough training regime but almost all the players.' What raises eyebrows, however, is the fact that Kaizer Chiefs haven't faced the same fixture congestion as some of their PSL rivals. Amakhosi failed to qualify for the MTN8 and didn't participate in any CAF competitions this season. Which gave them more breathing room in their schedule. This contradiction has sparked even more scrutiny over the club's training philosophy and player load management. Despite fewer matches, the injury list continues to grow, indicating a possible long-term fallout from the pre-season overload. Chiefs are limping through the rest of their PSL campaign with a depleted squad. And management faces mounting pressure to address the root causes of their fitness woes. With the next pre-season just months away. The club must evaluate how to strike a better balance between rigorous preparation and sustainable performance. 'They are working on how to manage that. And minimise the hard training in the next off-season,' the source revealed, hinting at a major shift in planning. Stay tuned with The South African as Kaizer Chiefs are in the midst of an injury nightmare. Are the Chiefs training methods to blame for current injuries? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
07-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Can a Nedbank Cup victory redeem Kaizer Chiefs' disappointing season?
SEASON TO FORGET Can Kaizer Chiefs redeem their disappointing season with a Nedbank Cup victory at Moses Mabhida Stadium, in Durban, against Orlando Pirates on Saturday? Picture: Itumeleng English/Independent Media If Kaizer Chiefs were able to pull off an upset and beat Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final this weekend, it would give its fans something to cherish as it's been a decade since the club has won any silverware. For the players though, even if they go on to emerge victorious at Moses Mabhida in Durban on Saturday, it will not make it a good season according to Chiefs defender Inacio Miguel. Kick-off is at 3.30pm. There's no hiding from the fact that Chiefs are facing the prospect of another finish outside the top eight in the league. With four games remaining for Chiefs in the Betway Premiership, they're ninth in the standings on the same 30-point tally as Chippa United.
The South African
07-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs superstars reveal the club's major problem
Kaizer Chiefs duo Inacio Miguel and Gaston Sirino know why the club has struggled to kill games off. So, what are they doing about it? The Glamour Boys have dropped points from winning positions on five separate occasions this season. Most recently, they've lost clashes with Marumo Gallants and Orlando Pirates despite taking the lead in both. Senior pair Inacio Miguel and Gaston Sirino have weighed in with their thoughts. 'Sometimes in a game you're leading by 1-0 and you can score another one. And sometimes when you don't do it, it's difficult for us,' Angolan defender Miguel said. 'I think what I saw from the bench in this game [against Pirates] was the fact of being more serious sometimes in the game. We can't relax in such a big game as it is this past weekend and next weekend. It's the details, we can't lose the focus.' 'The biggest issue we've had this season is consistency'. 'We need to push, fight, and control the game more,' said 34-year-old Sirino. 'Sometimes we play well, but we lose. So many games where we played well and still, we lose. Sometimes we score, and we relax in the game. We need to push more.' Of the teams' eight previous meetings in the Nedbank Cup final, Kaizer Chiefs have won six finals – in 1971, 1976, 1977, 1981, 1984 and 2006. Orlando Pirates have managed two wins in 1975 and 1988. A 75% win ratio is a huge reason for Amakhosi fans to be cautiously optimistic. Do you agree with Sirino and Miguel? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
05-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Chiefs' Miguel makes frank admission ahead of Nedbank final
'I will make sure everyone knows this was not a good season for Chiefs,' said the Amakhosi defender. Inacio Miguel has admitted it has been a poor season for both himself and Kaizer Chiefs. Picture: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix Kaizer Chiefs defender Inacio Miguel says Amakhosi's season will not be a success even if they lift the Nedbank Cup on Saturday. ALSO READ: When Chiefs' Nabi took the wrong phone home! Chiefs will play Pirates in the final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, their last hope of avoiding going a decade without a single piece of Premier Soccer League silverware. Nasreddine Nabi's side are also set to play in next season's Caf Confederation Cup, regardless of whether they win against the Buccaneers. Chiefs' inconsistent season Yet still, Chiefs are 9th in the Betway Premiership in a horribly inconsistent campaign that has seen them slip to 12 league defeats already. The last of those was Saturday's 2-1 loss to Pirates at FNB Stadium, hardly the best of omens for Saturday's rematch. 'Not at all,' said Miguel on Monday when asked if lifting the Nedbank Cup would save Chiefs' season. 'We have to be honest, it has been a bad season. I have also had a bad season. A lot of goals I wanted to achieve with the club, I didn't make it. 'If we win the cup it will be a big moment and we will be happy. But you don't forget the bad results during the season. I will make sure everyone knows this was not a good season for Chiefs. 'But it it is a process. We won't focus on the bad results. Our focus will be on what we can do in the future.' Miguel missed Saturday's game against Pirates, partly because he was still recovering from injury, but also because one more yellow card would have left him suspended for the final. And he has declared himself fit and raring to go on Saturday. 'No time for rehab or doctors' 'I am more than ready, it is a final, I don't even have to think twice,' said the 29 year-old Angolan. 'I wanted to play even in the game against Gallants (on April 26). It was management by the coaches who preferred to rest me. I have still been recovering and doing rehab. 'But this week there is no time for rehab or doctors, I am going straight to the field to help the team.' Chiefs have already lost twice to Orlando Pirates this season in the league. But Miguel also pointed to the fact that the same had happened against Sundowns, who they then beat in the Nedbank Cup semifinals. ALSO READ: Chiefs' loss to Pirates was all-too predictable 'We also lost to Sundowns two times (in the league) and look what happened,' he said. 'In the semifinal we showed what we were able to do.'
