Kaizer Chiefs defender, Inacio Miguel, believes the key to Amakhosi’s progress is to maintain the level of performance that has earned them a maximum nine points since the start of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season.

The Glamour Boys face their toughest challenge of the fledgling campaign when the host defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns at the FNB stadium on Wednesday evening and the Angolan stopper is eager to test the mettle of the Brazilians.

“We all know they are a big club who play for big trophies but to be honest, we don’t think about Sundowns as much as we concentrate on ourselves and how we want to play. Obviously, we analyse them, noting their strengths and potential weaknesses we might be able to exploit, but the do the same so we have to totally focused and ready for them,” he told the assembled media on Tuesday, adding, “The aim is always to achieve consistency at a good level and we are in that moment right now. We have won three in a row so we have to maintain this form and keep on winning.

Miguel and his fellow defenders have yet to concede a league goal, marking a huge improvement from last season, when Amakhosi struggled to keep clean sheets.

Miguel explained, “Last season was the early part of a process and now I believe we are seeing some of the results of the process advancing. We put in a lot of hard work pre-season. Despite some of those results we knew we were working towards something for the PSL season. We are in a good moment right now; we trust each other, which I think is the biggest difference from last season. Our team is more connected now; there is a stronger bond within the group. At the moment, it is working but it is still too early to say whether we will achieve anything, and we will see on Wednesday if we can do it against Sundowns.”

Miguel is steadfastly determined to ensure that no team will come to their home ground and expect to get anything from them.

“With due respect to Sundowns, we are a big club. Playing at home and having our supporters is a big motivation for us. We want to make FNB stadium into a fortress and we want maximum points from this game.” he stated, “Obviously, Sundowns is a big test for us but the boys are ready to face this challenge. Yes, we have had more time to prepare than Sundowns but on the other hand, after their disappointing result last weekend, they will want to put that right as soon as possible and they will be motivated to play on Wednesday.”

While he is delighted with the overwhelmingly positive response to their promising start to the season, Miguel never doubted the multitude of committed Amakhosi faithful, whose dedication has never wavered.

“I draw a distinction between real supporters and just fans,” Miguel noted, “Some fans who criticised us last season are now singing our praises, but we have a very large number of true supporters who are with us the same through good and bad moments. Having a good start to the season has pleased our fanbase and we are working our hardest to keep it going because we appreciate what it means to our supporters. They are a massive part of our good start to the season.”

The Betway Premiership encounter at FNB stadium kicks off at 19:30 on Wednesday 27 August. Tickets are selling fast but can still be purchased from www.opentickets.co.za or www.kaizerchiefs.com, as well as Shoprite, Checkers and USave supermarkets countrywide, for R60 per ticket.