Kaizer Chiefs forward Ashley Du Preez is not letting his lack of game time distract him from what he wants to achieve at the club.
Du Preez was among Chiefs’ key men in previous seasons, with last season seeing him make 27 appearances across all competitions while scoring six goals, but things have changed this campaign when he has become a bit-part player under new coach Nasreddine Nabi.
Nabi has yet to start Du Preez in any of their seven games, with the attacker afforded opportunities as a substitute in six matches, but the player has not given up, and is focused on working hard to be ready for when called upon.
Why is Du Preez unfazed by limited minutes?
“I’ve been setting targets as a player,” Du Preez told the media on Monday as quoted by iDiski Times.
“You have to do that despite things not going your way. You still have to push yourself and set targets. For me not playing regular, like last season, I’m not letting that come to me and let me down.
“I’ve always been working hard and trying to get myself in the starting XI, and obviously, when I get minutes, come in from the bench I’m there to help the team win a game.”
Chiefs forward keen to win coach Nabi’s trust
Du Preez says he knows what Nabi wants from him and that is what is keen to work on so that he can win the tactician’s trust.
“They have explained to me what he [Coach Nabi] wants from me and how he would like me to play, so at the end of the day, it’s the coach’s decision to put the starting line-up who’s gonna win for the team. I’m just working on improving day by day every week,” he added.
Chiefs are at home to Richards Bay on Wednesday and Du Preez will be hoping for some minutes as they bid to return to winning ways, having gone three games without victory prior to the international break.
