Kwinika and Miguel combo under spotlight
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A former Chiefs defender has criticised Zitha Kwinika and Inacio Miguel defensive output. Photo: Gallo Images
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Kwinika and Miguel combo under spotlight
Sep 9, 2026 – 10:17 am
By Sipho Mlotha
Former Kaizer Chiefs centre-back Mokete Tsotetsi believes the side’s current rear-guard lacks the confidence needed to inspire confidence in a team of such stature.
Chiefs head coach Fernando da Cruz has publicly criticised the error-prone Amakhosi defence, citing a lack of leadership.
He has only Zitha Kwinika and Inacio Miguel to rely on in that position due to what can best be described as an injury crisis at present.
“We’ve been playing the same back five, including the goalkeeper, for quite a few games now, so our backline is supposed to be gelling and gaining momentum. At the moment, there is no understanding amongst the back five,” notes Tsotetsi, sharing his thoughts with KickOff.
“I don’t know if Kwinika is naturally a centre-back or a full-back. Miguel, on the other side, hasn’t been at his best, especially as an international from Angola. So, both of them haven’t been on top of their game.
“I’m with the head coach; the team needs a leader at the back. The fact that Miguel is no longer getting call-ups for his national team means his performance has dropped,” adds the man who is now coach of University of Free State.
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The Angolan’s Achilles’ heel has been his bookings record. Based on that he has played 64 games for Chiefs it means he is averaging a booking with every three appearances that he makes for the club.
The 30-year-old has evidently built a reputation of frequently having his name in the referees’ black books.
Yesteryear serial bookings magnets Morgan Gould and Andrew Rabutla didn’t reach these levels through any period stretching three years.
Kwinika was also recently criticised for his hard tackles by former PSL referee Victor Hlungwani.
Speaking on SABC’s Soccer Zone, Hlongwane said his tackle on Siwelele’s Blessing Thulo, a challenge that nearly caused a severe injury to the Siwelele player.
“He got the ball clearly [in the initial tackle, but] this is brutality. It is endangering the safety of an opponent,” Hlungwani said.
“He gets the ball, and after getting the ball, straight leg on the ankle there. This is brutality.”
The Soweto giants, who beat Siwelele FC 3-2 in a league match on Sunday, now turn their attention to Polokwane City, whom they battle at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.