Ex-PSL coach backs Chiefs star to destroy Al Masry

Veteran PSL coach Vladislav Heric has picked one player who he thinks will be vital for Kaizer Chiefs during their CAF Confederation Cup group stage match against Al Masry.

Chiefs will take on the Egyptian side in their opening group stage match in Cairo on Sunday and they have been talking up how they plan to conquer their rivals at their own turf.

The Glamour Boys are returning to continental competitions for the first time since the 2020-21 season when they reached the CAF Champions League final, while this is the first time they are challenging in the Confederation Cup.

However, Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr has revealed his optimism that they will begin their campaign with victory owing to their good preparations and Heric, who coached Maritzburg United, Black Leopards, Polokwane City and Chippa United among others, believes Chiefs have a key player who will make all the difference.

Serbian coach has strong faith in Du Preez

“[Ashley] Du Preez is a very unpredictable player. I think he is right for cup competitions, he is that type of player,” Heric told KickOff.

“Some players are good when they come [in] as a sub. So, I believe Du Preez will win the match for Chiefs on Sunday.”

Du Preez has found game time hard to come by at Chiefs this season, having to contend with spells off the bench, while he has also been criticised for missing clear-cut opportunities, but Heric is backing him to deliver the goods for Amakhosi in Egypt.

“Yes, he might be missing chances, but he can’t miss them forever. That is my belief,” added the Serbian coach.

“Our biggest problem in South Africa is that if a player misses two or three chances, we put him on the bench. That’s why we don’t have strikers today.”

Can Chiefs win the Confederation Cup?

Heric is in awe of the quality that Chiefs possess and feels they should be aiming at winning the Confederation Cup even if they are in a tough group that also includes Egyptian giants Zamalek and Zambian club Zesco United.

“It’s a very powerful squad Chiefs are sending out to Egypt,” Heric further said. “They do have a team to win the Confederation Cup. As always, teams that are not doing so well in domestic football always do well in CAF competitions.”