Former Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Farouk Khan, feels that the Soweto derby will be an opportunity for the under fire Ashley Du Preez to capture the hearts of the Amakhosi faithful. The 25-year-old forward joined Chiefs at the start of this season from Stellenbosch FC, after he had a magnificent campaign with Stellies.
In the early stages of this season, Du Preez looked like someone who was going to adapt very quickly at Naturena, after scoring his first goal in his second match at the club. He then went on to haunt his former club Stellenbosch in the MTN8 quarter-final, when he scored the equaliser for the Soweto giants, who were trailing by a single goal at the time.
Later, things started to go south, especially when he was heavily lambasted for missing some clear-cut chances for Bafana Bafana in the match against Botswana. This seemed to lead to a loss in confidence, and has affected his decision-making in both the build-up play and in front of goal.
Now with the Soweto derby looming, Chiefs need somebody to step up and to win the game for the club, and Khan believes this is a chance for Du Preez to prove his naysayers wrong.
“I don’t think Zwane should rest him, I think Ashley is a good player,” Khan told This is Football.Africa.
“I think this is a fantastic opportunity to really showcase his talent, I don’t think he’s been as bad as the fans feel. Obviously because the team is not doing well, you will find some players becoming scapegoats. That should not happen, football is a team effort.
“Dolly has been quite good as well, but when the team doesn’t win, people look for reasons and sometimes the players become those reasons.
“But I think Ashley should be given a chance, I think he is a good player and if given a chance, he could turn the game in his favour because he is quick and dynamic.
“I don’t think Chiefs signed him because he was just another young player. They signed him because he showed a lot of potential. It’s his first season, wearing that shirt is not easy, it’s very heavy.”
The match will be hosted by Pirates at the FNB Stadium on Saturday with kick-off set for 15:30.
