Former Kaizer Chiefs head coach Cavin Johnson has advised striker Ashley
Du Preez to disconnect from social media to rebuild his confidence after
facing intense criticism for a high-profile miss.
The backlash followed Chiefs’ goalless draw with AS Simba in the CAF
Confederation Cup, where video clips of Du Preez missing an open net went
viral. The incident sparked heavy criticism from Amakhosi fans online, with
many questioning the striker’s place in a squad that has recently
strengthened its attack.
In the aftermath, Du Preez was dropped to the bench for the second leg
against Simba and was subsequently left out of the match-day squad for
several league games.
Speaking exclusively to PSLSA, Johnson pinpointed the pressure of playing
for a club like Kaizer Chiefs as a major factor. He suggested a digital
detox as the best way for the 28-year-old to refocus.
“Look, as far as that is concerned, the player of today and especially when
you play for Kaizer Chiefs… it’s about who you play for,” Johnson stated.
“Especially if you miss a goal, social media, the news, all of them, they
are all over you.”
Johnson explained that the club’s massive fanbase amplifies the scrutiny.
“Chiefs don’t only have PSLSA and KickOff and SuperSport (covering them),
no. They have millions of supporters that are also reporters, you
understand?”
His direct advice to the struggling forward was clear: “So as a player I
would suggest that he stays away from social media, switch his phone off
completely, Instagram, Twitter, X, whatever, stay away from there.”
The former coach emphasized that Du Preez must block out the noise to
rediscover his primary function on the pitch. “Concentrate on your game,
stay out of there until you get into the space to do your work that you get
paid for and that is to be on the field and score goals. That’s my
suggestion to him.”
