Kaizer Chiefs made it six league matches on Women’s Day without defeat with victory over Maritzburg United at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday. Photo: Twitter @KaizerChiefs
Sundowns vs Chiefs: Glimmer of hope, Du Preez spotted running!
Kaizer Chiefs are crossing fingers to have striker Ashley du Preez available for Saturday’s crunch encounter against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Kaizer Chiefs made it six league matches on Women’s Day without defeat with victory over Maritzburg United at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday. Photo: Twitter @KaizerChiefs
Kaizer Chiefs are crossing fingers to have striker Ashley du Preez available for Saturday’s crunch encounter against Mamelodi Sundowns.
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Kick-off at Loftus Versveld Stadium is at 15:00.
Du Preez sustained a groin injury in Chiefs’ 3-0 win over Maritzburg United in midweek, and he didn’t finish the game.
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The speedy attacker had already opened his goalscoring account for Chiefs when Mduduzi Shabalala took his place on the pitch in the 86th minute.
Shabalala also registered his name on the scoresheet with a difficult tap-in deep into stoppage time, also, for his first goal in the senior team.
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Now, there are concerns that Du Preez could be ruled out of the encounter away to Sundowns due to the same injury that forced him to leave the pitch.
However, the good news is that Du Preez reported for training on Thursday, and was actually spotted running in his soccer boots on the pitch.
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What’s unclear, though, is whether or not the 24-year-old took part in the team’s full training session on the day.
Nonetheless, Du Preez still has time to work with the medical team and see if he can recover on time for the match in Tshwane.
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In the event that Du Preez doesn’t shake off the injury, Chiefs will be left with no option but to rely on Khama Billiat as their false 9.
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This despite Shabalala raising his hand for a place in the starting line-up in midweek as the game against Sundowns is regarded as high-profile.
Players such as Keagan Dolly and Kgaogelo Sekgota may also be expected to step in and help Billiat in leading the Chiefs attack against Sundowns if Du Preez fails a late fitness test.
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