Cedric Kaze Backs Ashley Du Preez After Missed Chance in CAF Confederation Cup

Kaizer Chiefs coach Cedric Kaze has defended striker Ashley Du Preez following his crucial miss in Saturday’s goalless CAF Confederation Cup draw against AS Simba in Lubumbashi. The Burundian coach described the incident as an unfortunate accident, a part of football that can happen to any player.

Speaking at Chiefs Village ahead of Wednesday’s Betway Premiership match against Stellenbosch FC, Kaze revealed that Du Preez was visibly upset after failing to convert a clear scoring opportunity that could have secured victory for the club.

“About Ashley, I won’t say that it is normal, but it happens in football. It is like an accident. An accident can happen in football. He was devastated after the game that he missed that opportunity which would have sealed a win for us at the last minute,” Kaze said.

The coach stressed the importance of support during challenging moments, particularly when players face criticism for missed chances. “As a coach, as a club, with his teammates, we are here to support him. We are here to show him that even in bad moments, we are here to support because it is easy to throw rocks at someone that hasn’t done well,” he added.

Kaze also highlighted Du Preez’s past contributions to the club, noting his impact during last season’s Nedbank Cup. “But remember, Ashley has helped us a lot in previous games. I remember the last-minute goal against Sundowns in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup last season which took us to the final and the trophy. The biggest thing is to show him our support, and I’m pretty sure that he is a guy with a very strong mentality and will bounce back,” he concluded.

The missed opportunity in the DRC increases pressure on Chiefs ahead of the return leg at Dobsonville Stadium, where they must score to progress in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Before that, Chiefs will aim to regain confidence in the Betway Premiership when they host Stellenbosch FC at FNB Stadium on Wednesday evening. The focus will be on maintaining momentum and giving players like Du Preez the backing needed to perform under pressure.