On Monday, AmaZulu Football Club faced a big decision regarding the future of a former Kaizer Chiefs star. Hendrick ‘Pule’ Ekstein had been deemed surplus to requirements at the Durban-based club at the end of last season, but was given a lifeline in the second round of the current campaign after being recalled to the first team by current coach, Romain Folz.
The recall of Ekstein and fellow player Thabo Qalinge, who had been sent to train with the DStv Diski Challenge team, came after the two players had allegedly objected to their contracts being terminated at the end of last season.
Both players’ deals are set to expire in June and, according to a source, the KwaZulu-Natal giants have not yet decided on the future of Ekstein. The source said, “The issue with Pule Ekstein is that the player is in the coach’s plans and his contribution to the team is valued by him (Folz). But his (Ekstein’s) contract will expire at the end of the season and the club hasn’t yet offered him a new deal. You must remember that this is the player that the club had already decided they didn’t need any more before the arrival of a new coach.”
Ekstein, 32, has featured in all six matches with five starts in AmaZulu’s DStv Premiership campaign this year and has one assist. As AmaZulu weigh up their options, it remains to be seen whether Ekstein will remain at the club or be allowed to pursue a new opportunity elsewhere.
