What are the facts?

Over the last three seasons, Ekste ein was used a total 38 times from a possib ble 90 Absa Premiership games under Ste eve Komphela and then Patrick Mabedi as caretaker coach – however, just 29 of those came with a starting berth for tthe Glamour Boys.

His return of five goals and two a assists in around 80 games doesn’t ma ake for pretty reading when you consid der the fact that Ekstein is meant to be a key source of creativity in Chiefs’ midfield/attack, and he has rarely managed to step up against any of the so-called ‘big teams’ in South Africa.

Ekstein was relatively unused under Stuart Baxter during his time with the Glamour oys – Baxer used him just our times – while omphela gave him platform to shine that e didn’t appear to grasp with oth hands. Under Komphela, ule’ was handed consecutive starts n numerous occasions, but struggled o impact thhe games as many had hoped that he wouuld.

Ekstein h as tasted victory in just 36 (including ppenalty shootouts) of the 78+ games thaat he has played for Chiefs ince his debut, and 17 of those vicories cam me when he started the game rather thann coming off the bench as a substitute.

Under Soolinas, the skilful midfield man has beeen handed just three starts from a posssible 15 games in all competitions, thou ugh it will be a bonus for him that there arre only five games that he has completely missed as he was left on the bench or ouut of the squad completely.