Ashley du Preez is all set to lead the line for Kaizer Chiefs starting against the visiting Cape Town City in their Betway Premiership clash at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday (7.30pm kick-off).
The 27-year-old will remain in Naturena until the 2027 season after his contract was increased by two more years.
And in the midst of the club’s injury concerns and the lack of consistent goals from their target men, the former Stellenbosch FC striker will play a crucial role in Amakhosi finishing the season strong.
Du Preez recently recovered from a shoulder injury that saw him miss some crucial matches for the Glamour Boys and since his return, he scored a winner in the 1-0 win against Magesi FC in their league match last Tuesday.
They have since followed that up with a 3-1 win against Stellies in the Nedbank Cup to be on the verge of a rare opportunity to win three games in a row when they take on City on Wednesday.
And despite their lack of form, Du Preez is aware of the danger they carry and he aims to add to the four goals he has scored so far this season in all competitions and he looks forward to renewing his personal rivalry against the Cape side.
“I have played friendlies and Cape derbies against Cape Town City during my time with Stellenbosch FC; I know how they play, and to be honest, when I play Cape sides, its extra motivation for me because I know how they play,” Du Preez said.
“For me, it is to go in that game and help the team get goals to win that game.
“Against Kaizer Chiefs, every team always comes out wanting to win, and for me the motivation is to play against them and get three points.
"You prepare for every game differently, and for us as a club, we need to go out and get the maximum points."
The lightning-quick striker has in recent times attracted interest from Europe and despite all his attention being with Amakhosi, it was interest that motivated him to work even harder and he has set himself a personal target of breaking the 20-goal barrier should he remain fit within his stay in Naturena.
“As a player, you set goals at the beginning of the season, and when there are things that come along like injuries, you need to reset and refocus and start getting back on the goals you have set," said Du Preez.
“It motivates you as a player; there is a reason why they show interest in you as player and all you can do is work well with the team you’re currently with.
“I’m with a big club like Kaizer Chiefs, so my focus has always been here: to improve and help the team win as many games as they can, and for me as a player to score as many goals as I can and help the team win.
“I am happy that the club renewed my contract for the next two years, and what I want to achieve is to score more goals and achieve 20 plus goals and that will be my aim for the next two years."
Visiting FNB on Wednesday will be a City side lacking in confidence as they haven’t had the best of outings in recent times, with their last win coming almost two months ago against Richards Bay FC (2-1).
Within their six wins so far this season, one of them was a 1-0 win against Chiefs at the Cape Town Stadium in January, courtesy of a Darwin Gonzalez strike in the 51st minute.