Kaizer Chiefs defender Inacio Miguel has singled out his late grandmother as the key figure in his successful football career. The footballer revealed how he chose to honour her following her passing.
The Portuguese-born player was raised by his grandmother and uncle in Torres Vedras and began his football career at Mafra and then moved to Liepaja where he excelled.
Miguel’s impressive showings at Angolan giants Petro De Luanda which led to a league title and a CAF Champions League quarterfinal exit last season, attracted the attention of Kaizer Chiefs, which he eventually joined before the start of the 2024/25 season.
Since wearing Amakhosi colours, the 28-year-old defender has played six matches and scored one goal in all competitions. He has been admired for his leadership qualities and given the captain’s armband in the absence of Yusuf Maart.
“I have maximum respect for Yusuf Maart and how he has been leading the team. I am very happy to be the captain of Kaizer Chiefs. I think that coach saw something on me something that was lacking a little bit on the team. I like to help the youngsters, to make them see that they can do more,” Miguel said on DStv’s KCTV.
His grandmother sadly passed away in November last year, and she never had the opportunity to see him playing for Chiefs. Miguel chose to honour her by wearing jersey number 84, an age at which she sadly passed on.
“I was raised by my grandmother and my uncle. These are the two people that are the most important in my life. The most important thing for me is family, it’s part of everything, I can’t do anything without them.
“Most importantly my grandmother, she gave me everything. The minimum that I could do while she was here was to provide everything for her. I played with [jersey number] 42 at Mafra because it was the age that my mom passed away on, 18 years ago and 84, is the age that my grandmother passed away last year. So, I decided to choose it [jersey number 84] to honour her,” he continued.
The vice-captain has concluded his two-match suspension after receiving a red card during Chiefs’ match against Mamelodi Sundowns. He is expected to be part of the squad that will battle Polokwane City in a Betway Premiership match on Sunday.
The Angolan expressed that he understands the club’s vision of turning the situation around having gone a decade without lifting a trophy.
“My plan for Kaizer Chiefs is to simply trust the process. We know that Chiefs is not coming from happy moments in the last few years but what U see from the structure is that we are working towards a good future.
“We do not have to be afraid to assume that at this moment we are not doing well but the most important thing is to believe that we are working well for the future,” concluded Miguel.