While discussing Du Preez's visible composure issues in the CAF Confederation Cup first leg — which ended 0–0 at TP Mazembe Stadium — Mkhize admitted he once deliberately missed a scoring chance to spite his own coach.
The Chiefs' clash in Lubumbashi was dominated by attacking frustration. Khanyisa Mayo hit the crossbar, Mfundo Vilakazi forced a remarkable save, and Du Preez failed to convert an open-goal opportunity.
While Mkhize carefully avoided accusing Du Preez of intentional sabotage, he opened the door to the psychological complexities of player-coach relationships and admitted to having missed a sitter to spite a coach.
"Sometimes a player may be unhappy with a coach who doesn't value them enough… This can lead to a player not putting in their full effort," Mkhize told KickOff.com.
"I remember when I was at Chiefs, I once missed an easy chance on purpose, just to spite our coach, Muhsin Ertugral."
The incident occurred during a Cape Town match, where Mkhize deliberately headed wide from a cross by Jabu Pule (now Mahlangu).
"The ball grazed the goalpost and went out," he recalled.
Mkhize initially expressed sympathy for Du Preez, linking the miss to the striker's personal grief over his father's passing.
Abdeslam Ouaddou has expressed his disappointment after Orlando Pirates failed to secure the Betway Premiership title, following their goalless draw with Durban City on Saturday.
Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze admits it is unfortunate that his side will be without Glody Lilepo for their final Betway Premiership clash of their season.
Orlando Pirates missed the chance to clinch the Betway Premiership title on Saturday after being held to a tense 0-0 draw by Durban City at Orlando Amstel Arena.
Kaizer Chiefs defeated AmaZulu 1-0 in their Betway Premiership encounter at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon, denting the hosts top four finish target.
