Zitha Kwinika backs Ashley Du Preez to rediscover scoring touch

Du Preez, who is now in his third season at Chiefs, has come under attack from a section of the Amakhosi fans for his failure to score into an open net after lobbing Stellies goalkeeper Sage Stephens. 

As they prepare to meet arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the season’s first Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium later today, Kwinika believes the Stellenbosch-born attacker will come good. 

"I think obviously the conversation was [that] we were disappointed, to be honest, but we move, there's nothing else we can do," said Kwinika.

"I think dwelling on that wouldn't help us, it's for us to prepare for the game ahead, and it was a straight conversation with 'Slosh' – he's a good player, I think he actually had a great game after not playing for the longest time.

"So whatever happened could have happened to anyone, it doesn't make him a bad player at all, he's a good, quality player that deserves to be at Kaizer Chiefs.

"And trust me, on Saturday when he gets an opportunity he will bang one in and we'll go to the corner and celebrate with him."

READ: Maluleka picks one player key to Chiefs Derby hopes

Having amassed just 16 goals in 16 league matches, Chiefs’ attack has produced 10 and 11 goals fewer than log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, respectively, and it’s an area Kwinika knows they need to improve on. 

"It's unfortunate that we probably have to get into situations of saying, 'Should have, could have,' and then come back to address such things," he added.

"So I think, as professionals that we are, we know that we could have done better, whoever should have done what – standing in your own corner, you know, 'I should have done this or that better for the benefit of the team.'

"And I think we will definitely do that and score as many goals as we can – maybe we need a bit of lady luck somewhere, somehow, but ja."