Chiefs close in on next transfer

SABC Sport understands that Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch FC have reached an agreement - in principle - over the transfer of young striker Ashely Du Preez.

The 24-year-old enjoyed what was arguably his best season in the topflight by scoring nine goals in 28 DStv Premiership matches, subsequently helping Stellies to a top 8 spot during an impressive run under head coach Steve Barker.

Several media reports have linked Du Preez with Amakhosi since 2021 and, at one point talk was that Dumisani Zuma would go in the oppositive direction.

However, SABC Sport now understands that the two clubs have agreed to a cash deal.

Chiefs™ relationship with the Cape outfit in the transfer market has strengthened over the past few months, as has since been confirmed by Barker that captain Zitha Kwinika will be returning to Naturena next season. Kwinika is a Chiefs youth product.

It now appears that Du Preez will be joining him, should all the finer details be ironed out in the coming days, just in time for the Soweto giants to announce new arrivals at the club when the registration window opens on 1 July.

Du Preez fits the criteria of younger players that Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jnr has been waxing lyrical about in his attempts to uphold the board's mandate of reducing the average age of the squad.

SABC Sport reported this week that up to 10 players are set to leave the Glamour Boys in the coming weeks, with strikers Lazarous Kambole, Samir Nurkovic and Leonardo Castro all expected to depart as their contracts come to an end.

When contacted for comment, Fowardzone, the agency representing Du Preez, did not want to make any remarks, insisting they are œnot in a position to comment on the matter - understandable given the sensitivity of the discussions.

But, it is expected that Du Preez will be switching to Naturena ahead of the 2022/23 season.

By Mazola Molefe