Chiefs give crucial update on Miguel and Ox ahead of Soweto Derby showdown
27th February 2026
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Ahead of the much-anticipated Soweto Derby tomorrow at FNB Stadium, Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze says there’s some hope that Angolan international defender Inacio Miguel could be available for this game.
Miguel has missed the last four matches due to an injury, and his absence was evident in these games, as they failed to keep a clean sheet.
Despite his few mistakes, Miguel brings some calm and order to Amakhosi through his communication and leadership skills.
Kaze says he will be undergoing a late fitness test as he gives an update on other players who have been recovering from different injuries...
"Miguel has missed a few games following his injury in the Carling Knockout game against Stellenbosch. He will be assessed today to see if he is able to feature in the derby. Ox has been training with the team for the last five seassions, and he is not one hundred percent fit. He can help, but he is not at 100%
"Ighodaro is definitely out. He is yet to join the group, but Thabo Cele is back.
After losing three of their last four matches, one would expect that Chiefs are feeling some pressure coming into this game, but Kaze attempts to take that pressure and emotion away...
"You try as much as you can to make it business as usual, but from the first day in the week you are able to see that it will be anything but that. The village is very busy.
"Even the players know the atmosphere is going to be completely different and the stadium is going to be absolutely packed."
Chiefs youngsters, coming from the academy like Mduduzi Shabalala, Mfundo Vilakazi and Wandile Duba, have carried the team in the past few derbies, but with a dip in form, it’s been a different story in the last few games.
Kaze says it’s important that the youngsters play for the team and avoid the temptation of doing it for the occasion.
A handful of coaches have won this derby on debut; the last one to do it for Chiefs was Arthur Zwane back in 2022. Kaze and Ben Youssef are not entirely new, having been part of the technical team last season when they lost both league fixtures to Jose Riveiro.
Kaze says a derby win is very important, as it can also buy under fire coaches a few months at the helm...
"The derby, as my colleague said, is spicy. Every time you enter the derby, you want to win it for the fans and do as much as you can.
"Sometimes you don't really want to say it, but you want to buy yourself a month of happiness with the fans."
