Kaizer Chiefs splashed out a reported R13-million to land the services of Ashley du Preez and Zitha Kwinika from Stellenbosch FC, iDiski Times understands.
This website confirmed the signing of their former academy product back in April which proved to be a massive reward for two outstanding campaigns at Stellies where he earned the captain’s armband and the 2021/22 Player of the Season.
Having represented Chippa United, Thanda Royal Zulu, the now-defunct Bidvest Wits and Stellies – with whom he said he arrived to as grapes and left as wine – the return to Chiefs was written in the stars as he matured into one of the most consistent performers in the South African top-flight.
As the old adage goes, men lie, women lie, but numbers don’t, Kwinika, formerly known as Macheke, was statistically among the top-three defenders in the league since his move to the Cape Winelands region and despite their reluctance to see him go, a life-changing return to Naturena was granted in a transfer worth around R3-million with a package three times his earning last season.
In the case of Du Preez, who many could argue represents their marquee off-season signing due to his emergence as a fan-favourite before kicking a ball for the club, the deal had less of an emotional attachment to it and certainly proved the harder task to achieve.
The 24-year-old forward represents everything the club stood for, a homegrown talent that’s developed from the harshest conditions towards star status in the PSL with his searing pace and performance against the high-profile clubs in the division making him one of those players that were simply hard to ignore.
Calls from the Amakhosi faithful filtered through social media for the club to make him a priority target and the pursuit, led by Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr, bore the fruits the supporters so evidently desired.
Like Kwinika, Chiefs interest in du Preez began more than 12 months ago, but after initially being baulked off by the R10-million release clause, knowing Victor Letsoalo was no longer an option due to a reported price tag of double that of du Preez, the energy was directed into landing the speedy forward.
After several back and forths, with players also being discussed to potentially sweeten the deal, Happy Mashiane was the only one offered Stellies were remotely interested in – but when no agreement was found, Chiefs went forward and are said to have activated the buy-out clause.
A total of R13-million spent on two of Stellies’ most prized possessions that played crucial roles in their run towards a record fourth-place finish in the DStv Premiership were suddenly gone. But don’t be surprised if a few new stars emerge in the 2022/23 campaign with the club’s talent factory threatening to reach new heights.
