Since the start of the season, Kaizer Chiefs coach, Steve Komphela, has shown undeniable faith in Hendrik Ekstein. The 25-year-old "youngster" had been on the fringes of Kaizer Chiefs' squad over the past couple of seasons, with the Amakhosi faithful crying out to various coaches to give the skillful playmaker a chance to prove himself. He had already started to feature in a bit part role last season and has found himself as one of the first players on the team sheet in the current campaign.
Many could argue that he had only started occupying his current role in the side, due to the injury that forced veteran midfielder and former captain, Siphiwe Tshabalala, to miss the start of the season. With Ekstein only scoring one goal and sometimes producing subdued performances, one would ask the question, has he repaid Komphela's faith? Has he conjured up the type of performances that the Glamour boy's supporters were crying out for?
Ekstein is often caught making the wrong pass, and being unable to keep hold of or make good use of the ball, which has often killed promising forays into the opposition final third, and ultimately frustrating the team's supporter's.
"Shabba" on the other hand, has been eased back in to action wisely by Komphela, through cameo appearances from the bench. He has often added a bright spark to that playmaker role through his good range of passing, his ability to test the keeper from range, as well as his set piece prowess.
With the above in account coupled with his experience, it seems like Tshabalala does add more to Kaizer Chiefs going forward.
So then, is it not the right time to restore him to the starting XI and give "Pule" a breather?
*This article was written by a Soccer Laduma reader and reflects their opinion, not that of Soccer Laduma.
