Kaizer Chiefs’ Inacio Miguel insists Mamelodi Sundowns hold no fear ahead of FNB Stadium clash

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 in the league at FNB Stadium on Saturday at 15:00.

Kaizer Chiefs have failed to beat Mamelodi Sundowns in their past 10 league meetings, losing seven and drawing three. However, Amakhosi have a reputation for producing strong performances in major fixtures, and Miguel believes they can challenge the reigning CAF Champions League and domestic league champions.

The match comes at an encouraging time for Kaizer Chiefs, who have made an excellent start under new coach Fernando da Cruz. They have won both of their opening league games, beating Kruger United and Sekhukhune United, and sit at the top of the table with six points.

Miguel said the team’s approach would not change because of Sundowns’ status or recent dominance in this fixture.

“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 the club’s 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.”

Sundowns will arrive in Johannesburg having won their past two matches. They defeated Polokwane City in the MTN8 before following that result with a league victory over TS Galaxy.

Those results have maintained the pressure on Kaizer Chiefs, with Sundowns expected to continue their strong record against the Glamour Boys. Miguel, though, said the focus inside the Kaizer Chiefs camp must remain on their own strengths rather than on the threat posed by their opponents.

“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 also stressed that Sundowns’ approach against Kaizer Chiefs would differ from the way they played against Polokwane City, meaning his team must prepare for a fresh tactical challenge.

“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.”

Kaizer Chiefs will therefore go into Saturday’s contest seeking to protect their perfect start to the league season while ending their long winless run against Sundowns. Miguel’s message is that the champions deserve recognition, but not fear.