Kaizer Chiefs defender Inacio Miguel finds himself in a tricky spot with the disciplinary rules once again. The Angolan centre-back will miss Amakhosi’s next two fixtures after being sent off in the Soweto Derby.

Miguel received a second yellow card late in Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium. The red card came in stoppage time and left Chiefs with ten men as they tried to find an equaliser.

Under the league rules, a player sent off for the first time in a season must sit out the next two matches. That means Miguel will be unavailable for Chiefs’ upcoming games. When he returns, he will still be sitting on three yellow cards from earlier in the campaign. One more caution will put him on the brink of another suspension.

The defender went into the derby already carrying three bookings. He had been carefully managed before the big match so he would not pick up a fourth yellow and miss the clash with Pirates. Coach Fernando Da Cruz brought him back into the starting line-up, but the late red card changed everything.

Miguel has built a reputation as a tough, physical defender who often picks up cards while fighting for the team. Supporters know him as a player who puts his body on the line. At the same time, the regular cautions keep creating selection headaches for the technical team.

Chiefs now face the next two matches without one of their regular centre-backs. The coaching staff will need to look at other options in defence while Miguel serves his ban. Once he comes back, the player and the club will have to be extra careful. Another yellow card could see him miss yet another game at a stage when every point matters.

The situation shows how fine the line is for players who play on the edge. Miguel remains an important figure at Naturena, but the suspension tightrope is one he must walk carefully in the weeks ahead.

Source: https://x.com/KickOffMagazine/status/2117226524369694946