Ashley du Preez opens up on difficult Kaizer Chiefs season

The 28-year-old struggled for regular game time throughout the season as he found himself on the fringes of the squad across domestic and continental competitions.

Brought in to add pace and goals to the Amakhosi attack, Du Preez was unable to make the impact many supporters had hoped for, with the technical team at the club opting for Flavio day Silva and Godly Lilepo as their trusted attackers.

The former Stellenbosch attacker made just eight appearances in the Betway Premiership, three in the CAF Confederation Cup and one in the Carling Knockout Cup, registering only a single assist.

Du Preez also came under heavy criticism from sections of the Chiefs faithful after a number of missed opportunities in front of goal. With the club searching for consistency in attack, pressure continued to mount on the speedy forward.

However, rather than dwell on the disappointment, Du Preez has chosen to focus on the lessons learned during one of the toughest periods of his career.

Taking to social media during the off-season, the attacker reflected on the campaign's emotional challenges.

"Not the season I imagined, but maybe the season I needed," he wrote on Instagram.

The forward believes the adversity has strengthened him both mentally and personally. While his contributions on the field were limited, Du Preez is determined to use the experience as motivation and return stronger as he looks to revive his Chiefs career next season.