Naturena Drama Deepens: Former Bafana Defender Questions Miguel’s Decision-Making

Naturena: Former Bafana Defender Takes Aim At Inacio Miguel After Costly Soweto Derby Red Card

Former Bafana Bafana defender Matthew Booth has delivered a strong assessment of Kaizer Chiefs centre-back Inacio Miguel following his late dismissal in the Soweto Derby, warning that the Angolan defender must learn to control his emotions during high-pressure encounters.

Miguel found himself at the centre of attention after receiving a second yellow card in stoppage time as Chiefs suffered a 2-1 defeat against Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium on Saturday. The result ended Amakhosi’s unbeaten run in the Betway Premiership and added further frustration to an already difficult afternoon for Fernando Da Cruz’s team.

Speaking during SuperSport TV’s ExtraTime analysis, Booth suggested that fatigue, frustration and the emotional intensity of the derby may have contributed to Miguel’s decision-making.

The former Bafana international used a familiar football expression to describe what he believed happened to the defender as the match approached its conclusion.

“In English, you say ‘the red mist dawns on you’. Things are not going his way; it’s late in the game, the legs are tired. You are going to do silly things,” Booth said.

His comments reflected concern about Miguel’s inability to maintain composure when the pressure increased. Booth acknowledged that the defender is a highly competitive player but argued that such intensity must be accompanied by discipline and sound judgement.

He also compared Miguel’s emotional approach to that of former Manchester United captain Roy Keane, suggesting that the defender can sometimes allow his competitive instincts to get the better of him.

Booth was particularly critical of the second booking, although he admitted that the first yellow card could be considered harsh.

“I would expect an experienced player of his nature to just get a hold of his emotions. The first yellow was a little bit soft, I must say, but the second one was unnecessary considering he had been given the first one,” he added.

Miguel’s dismissal has created an immediate selection challenge for Da Cruz, with the defender expected to miss Chiefs’ next two matches through suspension. His absence means the technical team must consider alternative defensive combinations as the club prepares for its upcoming fixtures.

Rushwin Dortley, Thabo Moloisane and Zitha Kwinika are among the players who could be considered for greater responsibility in the centre of defence.

The timing of the suspension is particularly frustrating for Chiefs, who were hoping to respond positively after their previous victory over TS Galaxy. Instead, the derby defeat has left the coaching staff dealing with both a disappointing result and another disciplinary setback.

Miguel’s physical presence, aggression and willingness to compete remain important qualities in his defensive game. However, Booth’s assessment highlights the difference between controlled aggression and unnecessary risks.

For a club with ambitions of challenging for major honours, losing an experienced defender through avoidable disciplinary incidents can disrupt preparations and weaken squad stability.

Miguel will eventually have an opportunity to respond on the pitch, but his ability to manage his emotions will remain under scrutiny.

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