Folz – I Don’t Care What Happened to Qalinge & Ekstein Under Truter

AmaZulu coach Romain Folz has given his take on the recall of Hendrick Ekstein and Thabo Qalinge and said he is not bothered by what happened to them under the former coach Brandon Truter.

The duo was frozen out by Usuthu at the beginning of the season after Truter instructed his management that he doesn’t need them this season and they are not part of his plans.

However, Truter did not stay long with Usuthu and departed in October after a string of poor results, leading to the appointment of the youngest coach in the league – Folz.

As the Frenchman was looking for new players, he was informed that there are senior players that were frozen out, training with the reserve side and he’s got the right to have a look at them.

Folz has done that and both players were at training when the club invited the media for the first time this year on Wednesday as they gear up for the KZN Derby against Royal AM at Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday (15:30).    

“Obviously they need time, then others in getting to know what we are doing, getting to understand the process and methods that I have,” said Folz to the media.

“So they are gelling nicely with the guys.”  

Folz, who doesn’t shy away to tell it like it is, then said he doesn’t care what happened to them under Truter and it is none of his business.

“I’m not aware of what happened to their situation and it happened before my arrival,” revealed Folz, who did not leave the country to France during the FIFA World Cup break.

“To be frankly honest, I don’t care. I gave them the opportunity and I told them it counts for them like any other player.

“But when you have an opportunity, you take them and if you don’t, don’t come at me and say I didn’t get my chance when you did and let’s see what they do with it.

“But in honesty, with what they are showing and the attitude that they have, I’m positive they will grab their chances and do well for us.”              

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As it was revealed before by the iDiski Times, Usuthu are also assessing former SuperSport United forward Guily Manziba and Folz says he knows him from his time in Zambia.

However, Augustine Kwem was not part of the training, with the club saying he has some personal issues to deal with.

Matarr Ceesay, who this publication revealed previously that he was on his way out, was part of Usuthu training on Wednesday, looking very much part of the side.

AmaZulu lie seventh in the DStv Premiership table with 18 points after 14 matches.

Story by Robin-Duke Madlala (@duke_robin).