Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane has defended striker Ashley Du Preez after criticism in the local football fraternity.
Du Preez was part of the wholesale changes made by Bafana Bafana against Botswana in the second friendly during the international break.
Although Bafana edged the Zebras 1-0 on Tuesday evening at FNB Stadium, Du Preez received backlash from fans after missing what appeared to be clear opportunities in front of goal.
Zwane has defended the former Stellenbosch striker, as he believes uncapped players in the national team deserve time to settle before their performances can be judged.
“Yes if a player doesn’t have a cap, he will always not be ready until he settles. The more he plays in the national team, the better for the player,” Zwane told journalists at the club’s open media day.
“You understand what I’m saying, because if he doesn’t get the opportunity at all then there’s no way he can be better.
“So, that’s how I see it. Even me as a player, the more games I was getting in the national team, I was getting better every time.
“So if you’re not gonna be getting that call-up, then how are you going to improve as a player because the only time you can get better is when you’re given an opportunity,” he said.
Zwane also dispelled perceptions that PSL coaches do not want to meet Bafana coach Hugo Broos and says he is always available because he wants to see the country progress.
Broos cut a frustrated figure in his post-match press conference about the lack of communication between his office and PSL coaches.
“Not once, not even a single day where I got a call from the coach but having said that, obviously maybe the coach wants to meet us.
“Me, I’m available anytime he wants to meet me. It’s good, it’s not about me it’s about our players as well. Because we need to understand what he wants from our players when they go to the national team.
“And we also have to be on the same boat because it’s about the country to grow. We want our football to be better, so whenever he wants me, he wants us to meet I’m more than happy,” he added.
Chiefs had two representatives in the recent Bafana squad who were both uncapped before the matches, as Kgaogelo Sekgota also made his debut in a 4-0 win over Sierra Leone.
Broos previously announced that there will be a Bafana camp before the FIFA World Cup starts in November after the football governing body confirmed that the dates between the 14th and 20th can be utilized.
Bafana are preparing for the resumption of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next year, which were postponed to allow teams from the continent to prepare for the World Cup.
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