AmaZulu Coach Hails ‘Smart’ Ekstein After Heroic Derby Display
AmaZulu assistant coach Simo Dladla has praised the impressive form of veteran Pule Ekstein, saying the experienced attacker has stepped up at a crucial time for the youthful Usuthu squad.
Ekstein scored the winner as AmaZulu bounced back with a 2–1 victory over Richards Bay in a Betway Premiership match at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
The former Kaizer Chiefs attacker also found the net when Usuthu defeated Richards Bay in the Nedbank Cup Round of 16, enjoying one of the most prolific spells of his career.
In total, the 35-year-old has scored seven goals and provided three assists in 22 appearances across all competitions this season.
His recent form has been boosted by playing in more advanced attacking positions. He was also on the scoresheet when AmaZulu suffered a painful 2–1 defeat to Casric Stars in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals.
Ekstein’s resurgence marks a remarkable turnaround for a player who was previously considered surplus to requirements by the club’s management and even spent time training with the reserve team during Brandon Truter’s tenure.
“We have a young team and players like Pule are key to our strategies,” said Dladla.
“We are using him based on his qualities and his strengths. What he did today [on Saturday] is exactly what we expected.
“He has done it in many games, and we hope he continues to do so. He is a very experienced, creative, and smart player. I would say we benefited again from his experience around the penalty box.”
The victory over the Natal Rich Boyz lifted AmaZulu to fourth place on the Betway Premiership table with 34 points from 21 matches.
While Ekstein scored the decisive goal, another veteran also impressed on Saturday, Thabiso Kutumela, who was handed a rare start.
Kutumela started in place of the suspended Thando Ngwenya and made an immediate impact, scoring a stunning free kick against his former club that beat goalkeeper Ian Otieno from outside the box.
The strike is likely to be considered among the contenders for Goal of the Season given the quality of the effort, even though it ultimately did not decide the match.
Dladla addressed the media in place of head coach Arthur Zwane, who was absent due to flu, and said Kutumela’s ability to produce such moments is something the coaching staff regularly witness in training.
“Kutumela scores such goals in training,” said Dladla.
“Riaan Hanamub also scored a beauty against Golden Arrows in December. People will say it is a wonder strike, but no — he can do that with his right foot.
“That is the experience and the quality we have, and we see it every day in training. We are fortunate to have players who can produce moments of magic like that.”
The victory also came during an emotional weekend for the club, as AmaZulu paid tribute to their number one supporter, Luyanda “Usuthu Queen” Mbuyazi, who was laid to rest on Sunday.
Members of the club travelled to northern KwaZulu-Natal to pay their final respects to the beloved supporter, who passed away a few days earlier.
