Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs midfielder George Maluleka praised the form of team-mate Hendrick Ekstein despite the fact they are competing for the same position.
Maluleka was a prominent part of previous coach Stuart Baxter's plans, but has struggled to hold down a regular first team place with current boss Steve Komphela seeming to prefer Ekstein in that position.
Despite their direct competition for the same first team place, Maluleka was full of praise for the impact Ekstein has made this season and revealed they spend a lot of time together and encourage each other to become better players.
"He is a good player and is enjoying his game, which is good for him and the team," Maluleka told Soccer Laduma.
"We are normally together - him, George Lebese and me - and we always encourage him to keep on working hard.
"It doesn't really affect me badly because competition is always good, both for me as a player and for the team," he concluded pragmatically.
Chiefs, along with the rest of the Premiership teams, are near the end of a three-week break for the on-going Africa Under-23 Cup of Nations event in Senegal, but will return to action on Wednesday against Mamelodi Sundowns in the Telkom Knockout final at Moses Mabhida Stadium.