Folz expects physical game against Chiefs

Folz expects physical game against Chiefs

AmaZulu coach Romain Folz expects a bruising encounter against Kaizer Chiefs when the two sides meet in their MTN8 semifinal second leg clash at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday. 

Usuthu hold the advantage of having managed an away goal at FNB Stadium three weeks ago under then-coach Brandon Truter, who was sacked several days later and replaced by Folz - the Frenchman having previously been at Marumo Gallants.

Chiefs will need to play on the front foot and score goals for any chance of progressing to the cup final set for the same venue on 5 November.

"I'm expecting the game to be very competitive in terms of challenges. I think it's going to be very much on the physical aspect, and who is able to dictate the pace on and off the ball," Folz said.

"By that, I mean also who is able to win the challenges early in the game. So, I think it's going to be a key element, and I also think that the tactical element is going to be very important going into the game.

"Both teams have good players and it's going to be a matter of being the best team in the key elements, which for me the tactical point can be the crucial one.

"So, it's going to be a very competitive game, just like you can expect, but we are ready for the game and we're looking forward to it."

Folz also responds to his Chiefs counterpart Arthur Zwane™s comments that the Glamour Boys are among the best attacking sides in the league.

"I think he's trying to play a mental card [in] saying that, trying to activate his boys mentally a little bit, growing their confidence level," he added.

"Look, it's a strategy and you can use that sometimes. The words have an impact on your players - if you try to grow their confidence by saying they're the best offensive team in the league, it's an opinion, I'm not saying he's right or wrong but it's an opinion.

"To answer - do we have ideas and a plan on how to prevent them from being an offensive threat? Yes, of course. We also have a plan to be a threat against them.

"Yes, they have some good players offensively, I would say that we do as well. I'm not sure... In all honest, I don't think they're better than us offensively in terms of quality or anything, and the same goes for every line on the field, whether in midfield or defensively.

"So, it's going to be a matter of who applies his strategy and game-plan the best on the day, but as much as they have quality, we have quality as well - to at least an equal level."

By Mazola Molefe