New signing Inacio Miguel will help usher in fresh era at Kaizer Chiefs
KAIZER Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr is hopeful that new signing Inacio Miguel will write his own piece of history at the club after his arrival on Wednesday.
Miguel became the fifth signing to join Chiefs for the new season after passing his medicals on Tuesday afternoon, before putting pen to paper on a three-year deal.
The defender, who’s the first Angolan to sign for the club, joins Gaston Sirino, Rushwin Dortley, Fiacre Ntwari and Bongani Sam on the list of newcomers so far in the new campaign.
As the team look to usher in a fresh era under new coach Nasreddine Nabi, Motaung hopes Miguel will leave a lasting impression at the Naturena-based club during his tenure.
“We are happy to have a player of Inacio Miguel’s calibre join our team,” Motaung said on the club’s social media platforms on Wednesday.
“We’ve watched him and believe his experience, skill and passion for the game embody the spirit of Kaizer Chiefs, and will add a lot of positives in the team.
“We believe that he will contribute significantly with his talent, and are looking forward to working with him as he writes another chapter of his career in South Africa.”
The arrival of Miguel will please everyone who’s associated with the club, especially Nabi, who believes they needed to dig deep into the market for quality players for the season.
The Portugal-born defender was an integral part of the Petro de Luanda team that participated in the CAF Champions League, and won the Angolan league title last season.
The 28-year-old has a bit of international experience under his belt, having made five appearances for the Angolan national team.
Inacio Miguel Joins Kaizer Chiefs
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) August 21, 2024
The 28-year-old centre-back has signed a three-year deal with Amakhosi. #WelcomeMiguel #Amakhosi4Life #AlwaysHome
But while everything about Miguel seems to augur well for Nabi’s plans, the Tunisian tactician must put his head on the block and make a tough call before the start of their campaign. Nabi must release at least one foreigner, either on loan or permanently, from his squad to be able to register Miguel as the club have already filled their five foreign quota spots.
The club boasts Rwandan Ntwari, Congolese Christian Saile, Botswanan Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, Venezuelan Edson Castillo and Mozambican Edmilson Dove in their foreign spots.
Dove would appear to be the sacrificial lamb as he sustained an injury during their pre-season tour of Türkiye, which is expected to rule him out for the better part of the season.
However, given that neither of the five foreigners have impressed during their respective stints at the club, especially last season, the club’s former player Robson Muchichwa believes Chiefs can release anyone.
“If you are given a chance and fail to use it, it must be bye-bye. Bring in foreign players who will add value,” Muchichwa told The Sowetan newspaper this week.
“All these guys didn’t perform last season. A foreign player must be extraordinary, but these ones have proven to be ordinary, so any of them can go and Chiefs should not find it difficult to decide.
“Saile has failed as an attacker because he’s scored few goals. Castillo played well only in the first few games after arriving.
“Dove is always injured and he’s error-prone, just like Ditlhokwe, so I really believe they can let any of them go without thinking twice.
“Let’s hope Miguel is a good player because foreigners must be like ‘Wow’ when they come here (to Chiefs).”
Rumours have been rife that Chiefs could sacrifice Saile instead of Dove, but the discerning observer would scrutinise that move should it happen.
Chiefs have largely bolstered their defence for the new season so far, including signing Miguel, while they are thin up front.
Hence, they’ll need all the help they can get, even from players such as Saile.
The Congolese striker might have come up short in front of goal, but he’s made up for that with speed on the flanks, something that Chiefs lack as well.