Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Hendrick Ekstein has declared that he hopes to repay the club’s faithful for the support and the affection they have shown him.

Ekstein was promoted into the Amakhosi’s first team squad back in the 2014-15 season but had failed to nail down a starting position in the side until the arrival of Steve Komphela. Now, however, the 25-year-old’s fortunes have changed as he has finally established himself as a key player for the side.

‘The response the fans give me when I have the ball makes me happy because it shows that they love me,’ Ekstein told IOL.co.za. 

‘Since they love me, I must deliver. I haven’t done much to be honest with you. I need to work even harder. I want to create and score goals,’ he added.

Ekstein is confident that this season will prove to be his breakout year and has thanked Komphela for his continued faith in his abilities, while also expressing delight at the game time he has been getting.

‘I think that my game is improving because of the regular game-time that I am getting, even though I lose a lot of balls,’ Ekstein admitted.

‘I need to improve on that because as a midfielder, I have to drive the team forward. I want to contribute to this team so that when I am retired I can say that I did this and that to help the team win,’ he concluded.

Chiefs are next in action when they take on Free State Stars at the James Motlatsi Stadium on Wednesday.

Kick-off is at 19:30.