Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela believes Hendrick Ekstein’s risk taking is paying off after scoring his first goal of the season against AmaZulu on Saturday.

The 26-year-old produced an impressive display to help Amakhosi advance to the Telkom Knockout quarter-final after thrashing Usuthu at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Komphela hails Ekstein’s technical ability as ‘genius’ and he believes Ekstein has the confidence and potential to produce stellar performances on a consistent basis.

‘With regards to Ekstein, George Maluleka will tell you, they were always on his case. There’s a couple of things that he still needs to do to complete his game to be a threatening player,’ Komphela told KickOff.com.

‘But confidence-wise, he’s grown. One thing that I can disclose which is apparent, is upon receiving the ball he is getting forward, effecting the game.

‘Previously Ekstein will play square, back without wanting to take a risk. But I think now he’s wearing a risk cap and it’s paying off.

‘An Ekstein oozing with confidence, with the technical ability that he’s got put in the right places with the tactical approach, is a big threat.

‘Operating in small spaces… I don’t know how this guy thinks because unfortunately we are football people, we think with our feet. He’s very quick with calculations. He’s more of a genius.

‘He gets the ball and with no time he just twists things. I hope he’ll get to the level where he’s consistent throughout to be complete, even with the stuff that he needs to rectify.’

Kaizer Chiefs will now turn their attention to the Absa Premiership when they take on Polokwane City at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday, with kick-off scheduled for 19:30.

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix