As the Nedbank Cup final fast approaches, Amakhosi defender, Inacio Miguel, cuts a serene figure amid the excitement that is building in anticipation of a titanic clash against Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban on Saturday.

“One could say it is the biggest game because it is for a trophy,” he says of a match that could redeem their season, adding, “but I play every match like it’s a final. I give my maximum every game. For me, it’s just another game. I try to keep my emotions in check and pass the message to my teammates to remain calm. It brings a lot of responsibility, but I am happy to take that weight and leave my teammates free to play their best game.”

While a number of Chiefs players have never played in a major cup final before, Miguel has previously had a taste of what lies ahead and takes it upon himself to guide his colleagues through the auspicious occasion.

“I have been fortunate to play in cup finals before so I have experienced that pressure and will try t be a calming influence to allow my teammates to play freely without fear,” he says.

Amakhosi are coming off a league defeat to Pirates only a few days ago but Miguel sees Saturday’s encounter as a chance to put things right, offering, “We lost the game but there are things we can learn from it. We saw where we came up short and won’t make the same mistakes again. It hurts, of course, but at least have an opportunity to rectify the situation.”

In fact, the Angolan international thinks it is possibly an advantage to go into the final as underdogs.

“Last weekend’s result might make Pirates a little bit over-confident and we are well prepared, mentally and physically, to take advantage of any complacency in their team,” he proffers, “We go into the game knowing there is no second chance in a final and we want to show everyone, including ourselves, that we can do it.

The previous results don’t count for much. Both were close games and though we lost both we feel we weren’t outplayed and could have won them. They were decided on a couple of small mistakes and it is our mission to not repeat those mistakes. We have the belief that we can beat them.”

It is no secret that Chiefs have gone without silverware for a decade and now have a golden opportunity to erase that inglorious statistic. For Miguel, however, the past is irrelevant and his only focus is on the here-and-now.

“All the players are all too aware that the supporters have been desperate to win a trophy for a long time but we live in the present and can’t dwell on what the Club hasn’t done in the past 10 year,” he states, “We have a final to play with a trophy on the line. We have a mission to fulfil and we are totally focused on what is in our hands, what we can do. Right now, that is to bring the cup home and we are working hard to make it happen.”