Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane was happy for Ashley Du Preez return with a goal against his boyhood club in the MTN8 quarter-final.
Du Preez had missed his side’s last three games after picking up an injury following the Maritzburg United match but return in Sunday’s MTN8 quarter-final against Stellenbosch FC.
The 25-year-old striker scored his side’s equaliser in the second half before it went into extra-time and penalties, with Zwane warning upcoming opponents that Du Preez willl only get stronger.
“We also welcomed back Ashley after missing three games,” he said after the match.
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“You could see he was a little bit flat because of fitness. We were also worried as much as we played him but we were also cautious to not break him again or him to get another injury. We tried to manage him and we knew that he wasn’t going to finish the game.
“What was key was for him to score a goal because that will boost his confidence as well, coming back and score a goal. In the next game he should be better than this game in terms of performance, and he might be able to even score more goals.
“So we are happy to have him back.”
Ahead of the season, Zwane had also stated that Du Preez is one of the best players he’s ever seen. So far, the striker has repaid the faith of his coach with two goals in three appearances.
Chiefs will be back in action on Saturday when they will host AmaZulu at the FNB Stadium.
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