Kaizer Chiefs forward Ashley Du Preez admits his side will treat their Nedbank Cup quarter-final against Stellenbosch extra special given what is at stake.
The Nedbank Cup is the only available opportunity for Chiefs to end their 10-year trophy drought and a place in the semi-final is at stake if they get past Stellies on Saturday March 8.
Du Preez, who returned from injury this week to score the winner as Chiefs beat Magesi FC 1-0 on Tuesday, feels Amakhosi have to do everything within their powers to down his former team for a place in the last four.
“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,” Du Preez told the club’s website regarding his performance on Tuesday.
Trophy drought motivating Amakhosi
“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.
“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 semi-finals.
“We take one step at a time. Obviously, 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.”
Du Preez is calling on Chiefs fans to turn up in large numbers at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to give the team extra motivation as they look to win against Stellenbosch for the third time this season.
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“We are extra focused on this weekend’s match because it’s our only realistic chance of winning silverware. This is a very important game in the context of our season. Our preparation has been good and we are mindful that there’s no second chance in the knockout competition,” he added.
“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 through 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.”
Chiefs have already secured two wins in as many games against Stellenbosch this season, having won 2-1 in January and 1-0 in February, both in the league, but face a different team on Saturday as Steve Barker’s men are unbeaten in their last six matches.
