Kaizer Chiefs defender Inacio Miguel says they are treating their clash against AmaZulu at FNB Stadium on Tuesday (19:30) as a must-win match, with the view of moving up on the Betway Premiership table and closing the gap on title contenders.

Amakhosi head into the encounter on the back of an agonizing narrow defeat to rivals Orlando Pirates after Bucs playmaker Patrick Maswanganyi converted a last-gasp penalty to hand Jose Riveiro his fourth consecutive Soweto derby win on Saturday.

Now, ahead of their meeting against an Usuthu side reeling with confidence from their 2-1 victory over SuperSport United, the Chiefs center-back insists the mandate is to collect maximum points to stay within touching distance of the title race.

“It’s a game that we want to come out with a victory, it doesn’t matter if we lost the derby, cup, or league game, the next match we have to search for a victory. We have to make a comeback; we have the opportunity to go to the top of the league or at least stay close,” said Miguel.

“This is our main goal, game after game we don’t rush. We just have to do the things as they are clear with the coach and as players, we know what to do, so it’s another day to give our best in search of the three points.

“We have to be hungrier than we were at the derby, there’s no getting fatigued after the [derby] defeat. No one has to be tired because we have to change the image that we left in the last game.”

On the heavyweight clash at the Calabash, Miguel believes the Soweto derby is the best rivalry in the CAF region despite being on the losing side in what was his first taste of the blockbuster match of South African football.

“Yeah, it was my first Soweto derby, emotions were everywhere, and it was amazing for me to feel the real derby of Africa – for me, it’s the biggest derby in the continent. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the victory but as a derby, I was very excited and tried to give my best to help the team,” he added.

Furthermore, the well-traveled Angolan international, who was roped in at the beginning of the season from Petro de Luanda of Angola, says Chiefs is the most pleasurable club he has ever played for in his career.

“I played professionally for 11 years, and I can say without a problem that playing for Kaizer Chiefs has been the most pleasure, not only for the supporters but the structure of the club, also the love that we receive in stadiums that we play in,” the 29-year-old continued.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s in Johannesburg, Durban, Polokwane, or Cape Town, it’s amazing to play for this shirt. You are always motivated because of the love the supporters give us, so it’s been amazing from the first day I arrived.” 

Miguel has racked up 15 appearances across all competitions for the Glamour Boys while scoring twice. He has also established himself as a leader in the dressing room, often wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of Yusuf Maart.