With Ashley Du Preez steadily hitting top gear at Kaizer Chiefs, coach Arthur Zwane has revealed what has changed for the attacker.
Players that have joined Kaizer Chiefs often struggled to settle in, and Ashely Du Preez is no exception.
Du Preez felt the wrath of Chiefs fans in several games for his lack of composure in front of goals.
However, the speedy attacker is adapting to life at Naturena, and his coach has explained his upturn in form.
Acclimatising to life at Chiefs, the former Stellenbosch FC winger has improved under Zwane in recent months.
The attacker put on an eye-catching display, scoring a stunner as Chiefs beat Chippa United 1-0. This was in a DStv Premiership clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Thursday afternoon.
It was the type of performance most had expected from him on a regular basis following his move from Stellies. In the Winelands club’s colours, he terrorised defenders for fun last season.
DU PREEZ, ONE OF ZWANE’S TRUSTED SOLDIERS
Although he has been criticised during the course of the campaign, Du Preez has been one of Chiefs’ best players this season.
He has featured in 28 games in all competitions. The 25-year-old has scored nine goals and provided five assists. And with Du Preez a goal away from reaching his target of 10, Zwane has expressed his joy at the form of Du Preez, who has formed a love-hate relationship with the Amakhosi demanding faithful.
“It’s always going to take time for many players that will come to Kaizer Chiefs,” said Zwane.
“Kaizer Chiefs is a different team in terms of the environment, how things are done, the professionalism and the set-up. So, I don’t blame players when they take longer to settle.
“We know how to help them, and I think he [Du Preez] picked form at the right time. We’re happy, and that’s the reason we brought him here.
“He’s scoring goals – he’s not only scoring, but he’s doing well in terms of performing.”
Chiefs will next be in action on Monday, 1 May, in the league against Swallows FC as they continue their push to secure a CAF Champions League spot.
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