Inacio Miguel on the fence over Orlando Pirates 'advantage'

Chiefs have the benefit of six days to prepare for Saturday's high-stake Soweto Derby, following their Betway Premiership defeat to their arch-rivals at FNB Stadium last weekend, while Pirates have to face Golden Arrows at Moses Mabhida Stadium tonight.

Asked whether it is advantageous to have no midweek match prior to the all-important cup final, Miguel admitted it would have helped Amakhosi move on from the recent 2-1 defeat. 

"Yeah, for me, personally, after [Saturday's Derby] loss, if I could I would play the next game to forget the bad result, but, of course, with more time to prepare, it's easier for us because we have more days to prepare technically and mentally," said Miguel.

"[Pirates] have to be ready for their game, but we also had that problem in the past, playing three [times] in seven days – of course, it's difficult but it's something we or they can't control.

"We have to focus on what we can control, and what we can focus on and control right now is to prepare for the game during the week."

Pressed on whether that suggests that Pirates have an advantage, the Angolan international insisted his personal preference is to be in The Buccaneers' shoes of having a midweek game.

"There are many points of view. If you ask me, if I prefer to train or to play, I will tell you to play, of course, so for me as a player, if I play in the middle of the week and then on the weekend, for me personally, it will be better," he added.

"But in terms of the physical [aspect] and mentally, maybe the best option would be without a game in the middle of the week, but yeah, it is what it is."

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