Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane says speedy forward Ashley du Preez is starting to repay the club’s fee they paid to Stellenbosch FC last season with good performances.
Zwane said ‘Ash’, as he calls him, should have long established himself in the rebuilding side of the Amakhosi, but he has unfortunately been hampered by injuries.
Du Preez was too hot to handle for many clubs last season when he was leading the line for Stellies, scoring nine goals in 29 league appearances.
One goal came in a shock win for Stellies against Chiefs at FNB Stadium in November 2021, when the Cape Winelands-side won a league match against Amakhosi for the very first time in their history.
They were two more against Mamelodi Sundowns in the second-last game of the season in Pretoria, as Stellies beat the league champions 3-0, which was another first for the club.
Du Preez’s fine performances helped Stellies finish in fourth place and triggered Chiefs to quickly snap up the 25-year-old.
While many expected du Preez to hit the ground running and become Chiefs’ main goalscorer, he has largely only shown glimpses of why Chiefs paid a huge fee for his services, scoring six goals in 23 appearances in all competitions.
He was the architect when Chiefs beat a spirited Maritzburg United 3-2 at Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday, setting up the first goal for Keagan Dolly and was also brought down for the winning penalty which converted Yusuf Maart in the second half, leading Zwane to showering him with praise.
“We’ve always believed in Ash — top player, top striker, very explosive and a team player too. Unfortunately for him his progress was hampered by injuries,” said Zwane, who when he started his career, was a bit of rough diamond before he was polished.
“Whenever he came back, when we thought he had regained his form, some niggling injuries would take him out for some time. But I’m happy now he’s doing well for himself and managed to play 90 minutes.”
Zwane also insisted that Chiefs’ previous game at Harry Gwala Stadium, when Du Preez scored one of their two extra-time goals to beat the home side, who had been reduced to 10 men.
“The turning point for Ash was actually on the very same field where he managed to play 120 minutes,” he added.
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“I told myself [then] that as long as we are able to keep him on the field for 90 minutes anything can happen in our favour.”
Chiefs’ win on Saturday saw them remain fourth on the DStv Premiership table, levelled on 37b points with Orlando Pirates and just two behind second-placed SuperSport United.
Post the FIFA break, Chiefs will – interestingly – host Stellies at FNB Stadium on 1 April, looking to win four league games on the spin for the first time this season.
