Stellenbosch FC and Kaizer Chiefs have agreed to terms over the transfer of both Zitha Kwinika and Ashley Du Preez. Both Du Preez and Kwinika will join Chiefs at Naturena as of the 1 July.
Kwinika said: “I’m grateful for Stellenbosch, especially Coach Steve Barker, Rob Benadie but importantly my teammates. They helped me become a better player, so I am quite grateful for the team, and everyone involved in the backroom staff.
I also want to thank the supporters for the love they showed me. Even though I am looking forward to the new challenge that lies ahead of me, I will always represent the Winelands wherever I go because they helped me to grow and become a better player, a better individual, and a better human being.
Steve Barker on Zitha’s move said, “It will be tough to replace a player like Zitha. I rate him as one of the best centre backs in this league and I’m glad we could provide the opportunity for him to showcase his abilities and develop into the player that he is today. Even though it’s tough to see him go, we are incredibly happy for Zitha and wish him all the best in his next chapter.
Ashley Du Preez said: “It’s never an easy decision leaving a club like Stellenbosch, a town that’s given me so much, a community that’s given me so much. I want to thank the management, the coaching staff, Garth Le Roux, Rob Benadie. I want to thank them for supporting me. I want to thank the community for supporting me through thick and thin.”
CEO of SAS and SFC Rob Benadie said: “Ashley is a top talent and while we would have love to keep him at our club for his entire career – that is just not always possible or the right thing to do. He has given us great service and we wish him only the very best with his move to the Amakhosi.
We will continue on our path to build and strengthen on and off the field at SFC.”