Du Preez: Chiefs Must Win Nedbank Cup Clash vs. Stellenbosch
Kaizer Chiefs striker Ashley Du Preez says they have to give their all when they face Stellenbosch because it is their only chance for them to win a trophy this season.
Returning from injury, the 27-year-old is looking forward to face former club Stellenbosch FC in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
“Getting onto the field after coming back from injury and scoring the winning goal and the three points is exceptional, and I am very happy,” said Du Preez, who scored the winning goal when Chiefs beat Magesi at FNB Stadium on Tuesday.
“Injuries are part of the game but it’s a question of how you bounce back, and I am just delighted and relieved to be fit again.”
The striker is anticipating to face his former club, having stated that he is familiar with their style of play.
“It’s always nice to play against a former team. There’s a familiarity with their structures and the way they play. Going into a cup game is a very different approach from a league match. We have to get a positive result on the day, so we are going out to win and get through to the semifinals.”
Du Preez prioritizes beating Stellenbosch rather than focusing on the future. “We take one step at a time. We haven’t won a trophy for some time and our intention is to go all the way to the final and win that. For now though, our focus is 100 percent on beating Stellenbosch and nothing else.”
He acknowledges that many individuals believe the Nedbank Cup is the only cup they can win this season besides the league. “I can see that,” Du Preez opines,
“Which is why we are extra focused on this weekend’s match because it’s our only realistic chance of winning silverware.”
The striker acknowledges the support offered by Amakhosi fans during the season and hopes to experience the same thing Saturday, which will be beneficial to them.
“It will really benefit us to see a big crowd of Chiefs fans at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium. They have been giving us great support all season, even though the difficult times, and we will need them on Saturday.
“As players and management, we want to win, but just as important, we are going out there to give our amazing supporters something to celebrate.”
