AmaZulu coach Romain Folz is seeking his first away win since he was appointed as Usuthu coach in October.
Usuthu will visit Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday (15:30), where they have not won in PE since March 2021.
Folz, who replaced Brandon Truter in that month, has won only two matches – all at home – against Stellenbosch FC and the mauling against Kaizer Chiefs, but nothing away.
In 12 league matches Folz has been in charge with Usuthu, six of them have been away, however, he has only lost once, which was Royal AM in Durban in January.
But it was another game that left him miffed due to the bad calls from refereeing that has become huge talking points in recent days.
Usuthu also lost to Chippa in the reverse fixture at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, going down to 2-1 when Morgan Mammila was in charge.
This will be the first meeting between the two sides where they will not have coaches they had in the first round, after the PE club sacked Mammila on Monday and replaced him with Kurt Lentjies.
However, Folz was impressed with the character his side showed as they came back from behind to draw with Royal AM last weekend at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, despite the game being mired by bad refereeing and also scuffle that ensued after the game.
“As I told them after the game against Royal AM, it takes a lot of mental strength to do what they did,” said Folz.
“In a scenario like that to get back into the game and refuse to lose that game, is extremely positive in terms of mindset collectively for a team.
“I’m very proud of what they did. If you ask me about that game, we won! But we are never going to get those three (two) points back. But we have to continue looking forward, looking at what is in front of us.
“What is in front of us is Chippa United and followed by the (Nedbank) Cup game against (Dondol Stars last 16), those are the most important games.
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“But what is in the past is not forgotten and we have to focus on the future.”
The last time AmaZulu won away this season was against Swallows in August last year and that is equivalent to eight months.
On top of that, Folz is also gunning for his first win since he was handed a bumper three-year deal a few weeks ago, though it will come into effect in July.
