Kaizer Chiefs defender Inacio Miguel says African champions Mamelodi Sundowns hold no fear

Kaizer Chiefs defender Inacio Miguel says his side will show Mamelodi Sundowns the respect due to the African champions but will not be intimidated when the teams meet at FNB Stadium on Saturday (15:00).

Chiefs have failed to beat Sundowns in their past 10 league meetings, losing seven and drawing three, but Miguel believes the early-season leaders are ready to challenge their long-standing rivals.

The match will be Fernando da Cruz’s third league game in charge of Chiefs, who have made a perfect start under their new coach. They opened the campaign with victories over Kruger United and Sekhukhune United and sit top of the table with six points.

Sundowns arrive in Johannesburg having also won their past two matches, beating Polokwane City in the MTN8 before overcoming TS Galaxy in the league. The defending domestic champions will be aiming to extend their dominance over the Glamour Boys, while Chiefs will be seeking a statement result against the recently crowned CAF Champions League winners.

Miguel said Chiefs’ ambition would not change because of Sundowns’ achievements.

“We have to respect the fact that Sundowns won the Champions League, but at the same time, we are Kaizer Chiefs and we also fight for our goals,” Miguel told reporters at the pre-match press conference at their base in Naturena on Thursday.

“We will start the game with the same ambitions, with the same spirit of fighting and going for every duel, that’s the message from the coach.”

The defender also urged his team-mates to concentrate on their own strengths rather than becoming preoccupied with Sundowns’ reputation or recent record against Chiefs.

“We don’t have to focus on what Sundowns is capable of doing. We must focus on what we can do. So, the most important thing now is to get the energy back that we spent last night [Wednesday against Sekhukhune] to recover as soon as possible,” he said.

Miguel believes Sundowns’ approach against Chiefs will differ from the one they used against Polokwane City because the two opponents play in different ways.

“Sundowns playing against Polokwane won’t be the same as playing against Chiefs because we don’t play the same way.

“It will be a different way to try to stop us, and we need to understand how we can hurt them.

“We will take it as another game, that’s the most important thing. When you play such a big game, you don’t have to think about whether it is the first match or the 10th.”

Chiefs’ strong start has given them confidence before the meeting, but the scale of the challenge is clear. Sundowns have combined continental success with their established authority in domestic football, while Chiefs must overcome a decade-long league winless run in this fixture.

Miguel, however, wants the team to treat the contest as an opportunity to apply the principles demanded by Da Cruz: matching Sundowns’ intensity, competing for every duel and making the most of their own attacking qualities.