Hendrick Ekstein borders on being loathed and loved by the South African football public, however, the Kaizer Chiefs midfielder says he isn’t fazed by people’s opinions of him.

Likened to dribbling wizard Jabu Pule (now Jabu Mahlangu), the fan favourite was touted to be the next big thing, however a return of one assist and four goals in 64 appearances in all competitions has left most thinking that they backed the wrong horse.

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The former miner, however, says he is focused on ending Chiefs’ trophy drought, while working on his personal development.

‘I don’t respond to people who doubt me. The only thing that I focus on is playing football,’ he told Sowetan Live.

‘Chiefs is a big club and it is not about me but the team.

‘If the team is not doing well‚ there will always be doubts about everyone. But like I said it is not about me‚ but about the team,’ he added.

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When quizzed about his progress with the club since arriving in 2014, Ekstein gave a frank assessment, suggesting that he could do a lot more.

‘I can’t say I am happy with the progress I have made since joining Chiefs.

‘I have only won two trophies in the form of the MTN8 and the league‚ but I didn’t contribute much to that success because I was not playing regularly.

‘I want to contribute more so that the team could win more trophies because this is the team that I grew up supporting.

‘My target is to contribute more as a number 10 with assists and even goals and I have worked very hard at training during pre-season.

‘Last season we didn’t click and we did not win anything. We want to change things this coming season.

‘Whatever happened over the past three seasons where we did not win anything is in the past and we promise our supporters that we will win something for them because this is big team.

‘They must expect more assists‚ more goals from me and as a team we are working hard and we have set goals for the coming season.

‘I am not going to put myself under pressure with the names that the fans give me‚’ he concluded

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Chiefs begin their 2018-19 Absa Premiership season with a mammoth clash against defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the Loftus Versveld Stadium on 4 August with kickoff set for 3pm.