Kaizer Chiefs forward Ashley Du Preez has opened up about his biggest scoring weakness and how he intends to fix it.
Du Preez has scored three goals in nine appearances in all competitions for Chiefs this season. He is joint top scorer with Edson Castillo, who has featured in 10 matches for Amakhosi, and Pule Mmodi, who has also played nine.
However, Du Preez knows how much the responsibility to get goals for the DStv Premiership giants rests on his shoulders.
The 26-year-old is slowly becoming an important player for the Soweto giants with his pace a massive asset for Amakhosi’s forays upfront.
He has since placed a demand on himself to get on the scoresheet more often, and he seemingly knows what exactly he needs to do.
WHAT IS ASHLEY DU PREEZ’S BIGGEST SCORING WEAKNESS?
“Like I said at the end of last season, I want to improve my game. I don’t want to repeat the chances I missed,” he told the club’s website.
Du Preez is happy with the start he has had this season but insists he is “totally focused on improving my finishing”.
He notes his most significant weakness when in goal-scoring positions.
“I feel I’m trying so hard that when a chance comes, I rush it, so I am working a lot on learning to be more composed.
“I go into every performance to do my best when playing for this badge. It’s also a team effort, and everyone in the squad is working towards the same goal: to win things.”
The former Stellenbosch FC forward could not hide his frustration at being booted out of the MTN8 Cup by Mamelodi Sundowns over the weekend.
Chiefs lost 3-2 on aggregate after a two-legged semi-final amidst some controversial decisions by the referee.
‘IT’S STILL HURTING’
Kaizer Chiefs were denied what seemed like a clear penalty in the dying minutes of the game played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
“It’s very tough; it’s still hurting. I think we had a massive opportunity to put our hands on the trophy and make history,” Du Preez added.
“It didn’t happen, and we are very hurt about it. It’ll be tough to move on because we know we haven’t won a trophy in years. We wanted to change that, especially to make the fans happy.
“We failed them, and we failed the Club. But there is still a lot to play for. This must be a learning experience for us, which we must take into our next games by winning every weekend.
“Only that will make us feel better as a Club and supporters”.
Amakhosi can bounce back to winning ways when they play Sekhukhune United in the DStv Premiership. The two sides clash on Wednesday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium [19h30].
Du Preez warns his teammates not to underestimate Babina Noko. He describes them as “a tough team” who are “physical and can also play”.
He vows he will be “determined to convert any chances that come my way”.
“I think this is a game where we can show our will to win, our resilience, the hunger in the mentality of every player, and do the job.
“If we win our individual battles, we’ll get the points. So I’m more focused on what we must do than on them,” he concludes.
RELATED STORY: The latest update on Ashley Du Preez’s condition