Zwane: Impressive Du Preez will only get better
DEANO van Rooyen and Ashley du Preez are closer than brothers.
The pair grew up together in the same household with Du Preez’s mother, who is Van Rooyen’s aunt, having taken the Stellenbosch FC midfielder in from a young age to further his education.
It is a bond that grew even stronger when the Idas Valley duo joined Stellenbosch FC at the same time back in 2015/16 whilst still teenagers.
But last Sunday at the Danie Craven Stadium they found themselves on opposing teams for the first time after Du Preez’s high-profile move to Kaizer Chiefs in the off-season.
There was a possibility that Du Preez was not going to be ready for the clash after picking up an injury. But Du Preez passed a late fitness test and went on to score the all-important equaliser for Amakhosi. Although Du Preez did not celebrate his goal out respect for everyone at Stellies that has done so much for him during the fledgling stages of his career, his joy was paramount as he unleashed a shriek of delight walking back towards the halfway line.
The contrasting fortunes for the duo increased even further when Van Rooyen missed his penalty in the shootout that allowed Chiefs to take the spoils and advance to the MTN8 semi-finals.
It was a heartbreaking moment for Stellenbosch FC, and no doubt Du Preez would have felt the pain his “brother” Van Rooyen was enduring at that stage.
Life goes on though, especially in the world of professional football, and Du Preez will need to put away his Stellenbosch loyalties and instead learn to deal with the pressures of being at a club of Chiefs’ stature.
Players at Amakhosi are constantly under the microscope, especially newly-acquired strikers with big reputations like Du Preez.