INACIO Miguel was very close to his late grandmother, and that’s why he has decided to honour her memory by donning the No 84 jersey at his new club Kaizer Chiefs.
Defender Miguel recently joined Chiefs on a three-year deal from native Angolan side Petro de Luanda, where he won the league title last season.
The 28-year-old is one of Amakhosi’s seven new signings, along with Gaston Sirino, Rushwin Dortley, Bongani Sam, Njabulo Blom, Bradley Cross and Fiacre Ntwari.
Miguel is expected to fit like a glove in new coach Nasreddine Nabi’s system, given his defensive qualities and versatility, which includes playing as a left-back or centre-back.
He also has experience under his belt, having represented the Angolan national team and plied his trade in Europe, specifically in Portugal, where he was born, Romania and Latvia.
But while he’s been quite the journeyman, Miguel hasn’t forgotten where he comes from or the relationship he had with his grandmother, who passed away last year aged 84.
“There was a misunderstanding. I initially chose the No 83 jersey. It was a confusion – now I am 84,” Miguel said during his first media briefing at the club’s village yesterday.
“I lost my grandmother. She was the one that raised me, and she passed away, unfortunately, at 84 years of age, so I decided to wear this number in memory of her.”
Miguel has instantly become one with the Chiefs family, something that would have meant the world to his late grandmother.
“She was an inspiration for me. She’s still with me every day. She raised me, and you know that growing up with a grandmother, you get attached to family,” he added.
“This club has treated me like family. I feel like this is the right place she’ll be happy with, as people treat me like I am home.”
Miguel is one of three Angolans – alongside Carlinhos (Cape Town City) and Miguel Gilberto (Orlando Pirates) – who have joined the South African top-flight this season.
For Miguel, joining the league was a no-brainer as he believes he’ll grow as a player, given that he’ll compete against some of the best players and teams on the continent.
“I don’t think people in South Africa understand how good the level of football is in the country. For us as Angolans and people from other countries, we see this league (Betway Premiership) as competitive,” Miguel said.
“There are a lot of good things, such as fighting for the number-one spot in the league. These are the things that motivate us to come here. The league can help us to grow as a footballer.
“For me, this is the best league in Africa. We also have good leagues in north Africa, in Morocco and Egypt. But South Africa is different.”
Miguel had opportunities to move up north, where he could have made more money than he will at Chiefs.
However, Amakhosi’s vision made more sense to him than any financial value.
“I swear to God, Kaizer Chiefs are at the level of Europe. I was in Braga (Portugal), and there is no difference for me between the level of Braga and Kaizer Chiefs,” he said.
“If I wanted money, I wouldn’t have come to South Africa. There were other options in north Africa, where they offered me more money. But the project was not the same.
“I am here for the project and not the money… the sporting project here is very interesting for the future, so that’s why I moved here.”
Nabi is expected to drive Chiefs’ project for at least the next two years. This includes rebuilding the squad, implementing a clear playing style, and most importantly, returning the team to their glory days.
Given what Nabi and his four lieutenants have been working on during training in the past few weeks, Miguel has no doubt that they are heading in the right direction.
“In the short space of time that I have been here, I have seen that he wants to make a difference, and that is very important,” Miguel said.
“Coach Nabi has very good ideas, and as players we are also buying into them, so I think we have good things to work towards this season. Starting this Saturday, we’ll see what we can do.”
On Saturday, Chiefs open their Premiership campaign away to Marumo Gallants at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein (5.30pm kick-off).