As Kaizer Chiefs prepare to face Orlando Pirates in the highly anticipated Nedbank Cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday [15:30], defender Inacio Miguel has revealed the team’s mindset heading into the big match. 

According to Miguel, the players don’t feel the weight of pressure. Instead, they view the cup final as a privilege and an opportunity to bring joy to the fans.

“Maybe for the fans and media, it brings more pressure,” Miguel said. “But to us as players, there’s no pressure, and it’s a privilege to play this cup final.” 

This mindset is crucial as the team looks to salvage some pride from a disappointing season in the Betway Premiership, where they currently sit in ninth place with 30 points.

Miguel, who missed the Derby last weekend as they lost in fear of getting a fourth yellow card, was candid about the team’s league campaign, acknowledging that winning the Nedbank Cup wouldn’t erase the disappointments of their season. 

“Winning this cup will not mean we had a great season, considering where we are sitting in the log,” he added. “We’ve told ourselves that this was a bad season, and we need to be honest with ourselves.”

The former Petro de Luanda defender emphasized the importance of staying focused on their goals and not getting carried away with the potential cup win. 

“I have a lot of goals to achieve with the club, so I have to be honest with myself,” he said. 

“But winning the Nedbank Cup will make me happy, and at the same time, I will not forget that we had a bad season this season.”

Miguel’s comments reflect the team’s awareness of their current situation, with only two games left to play in the league against Polokwane City and Sekhukhune United.