Ekstein reflects on training with AmaZulu reserve team for six months
AmaZulu FC midfielder Pule Ekstein has opened up about being excluded from the first team for the past six months.
Ekstein, along with Thabo Qalinge, was sent to train with the club’s reserve side after the previous coach Brandon Truter told the management that he wouldn’t need them.
The Cape Town-born coach then parted ways with Usuthu in October after a string of poor results and was replaced by Romain Folz.
The 32-year-old mentor recently recalled the duo to the first team and gave them a run during the DStv Premiership match against Royal AM this past weekend.
Ekstein has admitted that he was upset by the situation but was able to handle it accordingly because he has faced it before.
EKSTEIN REFLECTS ON SITTING OUT SIX MONTHS
“For me, it’s not new cause I’m used to it,” Ekstein said during the club’s media open day on Wednesday.
“Even before, where I come from, they once did this. I won’t mention names. But I’ve trained with MDC from the first team. It’s something I’m used to.
“It’s all about the strong mentality and focus, knowing what you want. So, for me, it was not a difficult thing.”
Folz was impressed with the attacking midfielder’s performance against Thwihli Thwahla. The Kaizer Chiefs academy graduate played the whole match despite having not played for quite a while.
He went on to reveal what Folz told him when he returned to the first team.
WHAT FOLZ TOLD THE ATTACKING MIDFIELDER
“I’m happy because the coach told me that he’s giving me another chance,” he added.
“I’m coming from MDC, so he said I should show that I can play football and what I’m doing, I’m rewarding him.
“Coach said he believes in me, so I had to do that.”
Ekstein will face his former club, Chiefs, in the DStv Premiership contest on Friday at Moses Mabhida Stadium. The match is set to kick off at 19:30.
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