Can Ashley Du Preez be the striker Kaizer Chiefs so desperately needs? By Mazola Molefe.

Kaizer Chiefs fans are yet to see the best of striker Ashley du Preez, who joined with the hope of solving the goal scoring conundrum.

AmaKhosi coaches, even before Nasreddine Nabi, often bemoaned the lack of a killer instinct upfront as the club’s trophy drought continued.

Du Preez arrived on the back of managing nine goals and three assists for Stellenbosch in 30 matches three seasons ago – hardly an impeccable record, but one that convinced Chiefs he was worth a punt.

An explosive player that suited Stellies’ counter-attack model, Du Preez thrived under Steve Barker’s approach.

Under Arthur Zwane it appeared as though the squad would play to his strengths, but as the overall club form dipped…so did Du Preez’s confidence in his maiden campaign at Naturena.

Now 27, the player is the first to admit that as a forward he has not lived up to expectation, part of the reason why Nabi too is crying that the team desperately needs a new striker.

“It was tough being injured in the middle of the season, but coming back and scoring the winning goal for the team [against Magesi] was a big deal for me. As a striker you are there to do your job as a forward. I can say that was really a good moment for me to get a victory for the team,” Du Preez said.

At the time of writing the former youth international had only found the back of the net four times for AmaKhosi in 21 games.

Certainly not what the fans expected from such a high profile signing. Du Preez, however, insisted there was a lot of work being put into fixing both the scoring and the trophy droughts.

He added that playing in his preferred position could also help.

“I’ve been wanting to play as a No.9. I know the quality of Pule Mmodi and [Glody] Lilepo when they are one versus one with the defenders. They are also helping the team going forward and have been really consistent in those positions. I believe being back playing as No.9, making those runs, they will help me as well because they know my strengths. It’s good for us.”

Chiefs and Du Preez’s camp are also in discussions to extend his contract beyond June, which suggests the Soweto giants either see room for improvement or could also reinforce the attack.

But does that then mean a different role for Du Preez?

“My job is to get into those positions and we are all there to help each other so that we can get positive results. I am always going into the games with that mindset. My targets remain the same – to score goals, help the team win matches and make sure that we get silverware. We owe our fans something and I hope as players we can look back at the end of the season and say it was special.”

Chiefs are set to go into the market when the transfer window reopens on 1 July to further address some of their frailties.

A potent goal scorer is most definitely high on the list for coach Nabi and his technical team, given that supporters will not allow any room for error next season with rivals Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns pulling away.

Du Preez wants to be part of that vision and admits not only does he have to do more – but the collective now needs to also step up.

“I have heard that my contract will be renewed,” he explained. “So what I need to focus on is being consistent. It shows the clubs trusts me. What is important now is for me to give back to the club and to work on getting better.”

Chiefs have been blowing hot and cold under Nabi this season, having started out by selling out games earlier in the campaign with the euphoria of the new technical team and players arriving to booing the team when they lose.

The behaviour has not been condoned, but the frustration from the fans is something the players completely understand.

“As a club or as a player, you don’t want to lose games and then things are not nice at the Village, hence I say we need to be consistent by winning games and make the fans as well as the club proud.”

Naturena has been in a sombre mood for over a decade now, but Du Preez could still be part of the group that changes all that in the coming years – should he indeed put pen to paper at the end of the season.