Ashley Du Preez: I think this year Kaizer Chiefs can compete for the league

Amakhosi's struggles in the South African top-flight over the past ten years have been well documented.

The Soweto giants last won the league in the 2014/15 season, but last season gave new hope to fans of a turnaround in form after beating rivals Orlando Pirates to win the Nedbank Cup.

New head coach Nasreddine Nabi has been slowly revitalising his squad since taking over last season and Du Preez feels the quality in the squad this term means they can expect to compete on all fronts.

First up for Chiefs is a Premiership opener away to Stellenbosch at Athlone Stadium on Sunday.

Ahead of the game, he said in the Citizen: "I think we can start competing for the league. I think this year we can compete for everything, the league games and the cup games."

As part of their preparations for the new campaign, the squad spent part of their pre-season competing in friendly games in the Netherlands.

"The pre-season in the Netherlands was amazing, we learned a lot," added Du Preez.

"I think we can take that into the league, the way we played, the way we competed against high-level teams in the Netherlands. We did well to together, in camp we had the same energy and the same mindset, in what we want to achieve this season.

"I am really excited for the season and am sure all the players are."

Du Preez joined Amakhosi from Stellies in 2022 and is always excited to play against his former team, who kicked off their new season last weekend with a 3-2 win over AmaZulu in the MTN8 quarter finals.

"I would like to start off my season against them with goals and assists.

"It will not be easy, they look sharp and have been doing great," the player concluded.