Kaizer Chiefs captain Inacio Miguel says he wasn’t forced to give Zitha Kwinika the armband nor was the gesture for show in the side’s last league outing.
Kwinika came on as a first half substitute for the injured Aden McCarthy in the 1-0 win over Richards Bay at FNB Stadium last week where Miguel took over the armband and handed it to Kwinika as soon as the latter stepped onto the pitch. The Angolan had spoken ahead of that game how Amakhosi are blessed to have more than one leader mentioning the former Stellenbosch FC man among those leaders.
Miguel spoke to the media ahead of their highly anticipated Betway Premiership clash with Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday where he explained how much he values Kwinika’s contribution and leadership and how he wouldn’t hesitate to let Kwinika lead the team out if he starts in midweek.
“In the previous interview, I said, and I always say that Zitha for me is our madala [elder]; he’s our captain for me to be honest,” said Miguel.
“I don’t say just for the interview I feel it. I have no instruction to give the armband to Zitha, but I feel like he deserves it more than any player. He’s a fantastic human being. He’s a fantastic leader, as we are always searching for in the group. And I feel that, here, it is moment you have a big history in the club, and I respect that.
“I respect the fact that Zitha from the last season, he never dropped the level. He’s one of the players that we have to focus on because he’s a good example of what we want to be in the future. And for the young generation, I think they also have to look at it as a role model they’re looking for. They don’t need to go outside to look for a role model there is Zitha. For me he is a role model of a hard worker.
“He’s the consistent player that we are looking for. Zitha is there in the bad moments, in the good moments. I don’t know the squad of Wednesday, but I have no problems to say if Zitha will start the game, I will give him the armband of course.”
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