Kaizer Chiefs striker Ashley Du Preez says he is unfazed by the lack of minutes so far this season. He has set personal targets despite not playing as much as he would have liked. 

The former Stellenbosch talisman has been instrumental for the Soweto Giants since joining the club in 2022, serving as a source for goals having netted 16 while setting up seven for his teammates in 65 appearances across all competitions. 

Last season, Du Preez featured heavily for Amakhosi under two separate coaches – Molefi Ntseki, who was relieved of his duties in October last year, and his successor Cavin Johnson as he scored six goals and provided two assists in 27 matches. 

Now, the 27-year-old has seen his role reduced to a squad player since the arrival of Nasreddine Nabi at the start of the season, with the Tunisian tactician preferring Ranga Chivaviro to lead the line and the ex-Stellies star revealed he has set targets to reclaim his place in the team. 

“I’ve been setting targets; you know as a player you have to do that despite when things are not going your way. You still have to push yourself and set targets, ” stated Du Preez, who is yet to start a match this campaign. 

The speedy forward insists that the lack of game time is not affecting him as he remains focused on winning over Nabi and climbing up the pecking orders at Naturena with the club bidding to end their decade-approaching trophy drought. “For me not playing regularly as I did last season, I’m not letting it get to me and let me down. I’ve been working hard and trying to get myself in the starting XI and obviously, when I come off the bench, I’m there to help the team win a game,” Du Preez said. 

Although he is keen to stake his claim in the team, Du Preez acknowledges that there’s room for improvement in his game to fit into the new mentor’s style of play and plans for the future with a host of other players vying for a starting berth. “The coach has explained what he wants from me and how he would like me to play, so at the end of the day, the coach decides to put the starting line-up which is going to win the game for him and I’m just working on improving day by day, week by week, ” he said. 

Chiefs will be desperate to snap a three-game winless run in the Betway Premiership ahead of their clash against Richards Bay at FNB Stadium on Wednesday (19h30). Nabi’s troops are currently in eighth place with seven points from five matches played.