‘We could’ve challenged Sundowns,’ says Chiefs’ Du Preez

Ashley Du Preez believes that had Kaizer Chiefs found their scoring form early in the season, Mamelodi Sundowns would not have run away with the DStv Premiership title unchallenged. 

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Sundowns have won their 13th, and sixth league title in a row with seven games to spare. 

But Du Preez rues how Chiefs failed to use their chances earlier on in the season which saw them drop crucial points. 

“We have been creating the chances (as a team) and as individuals we want to create the chances,” Du Preez told the media on Wednesday in Naturena. 

“But when you create and don’t convert, that is when you need to look at it during the week at training.

“We have to do extra (exercises on) finishing. For me, I love creating chances but we need to do better.”

Du Preez however says it has to be understood that Chiefs are being rebuilt and it is a relatively new team.

He is among the players who joined Chiefs this season. Du Preez was signed from Stellenbosch where he was doing well. 

Du Preez not happy with contribution

He has contributed seven goals and five assists in 23 appearances for the Naturena side, which  is not a bad return.  

“It is a new team and we are finding ourselves, getting to know each other’s strengths now,” added the speedy attacker. 

But Du Preez is still unhappy with his contribution so far and feels he could have given more to his new team. 

“I am not happy. I think we can do better. We need to find our feet and convert more chances.

“If we had been converting the chances, things would be much better by now. We could have scored a lot of goals by now. 

“If we had scored the chances we created at the beginning of the season, we would be fighting with Sundowns. 

“Sundowns have won the league (uncontested) and congratulations to them. But ours now is to fight for the second position.”

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Chiefs are tied with SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates on 40 points after 24 matches. 

Pirates are ahead of them in the standings on goal difference. Chiefs next meet Marumo Gallants at FNB Stadium on Saturday.