AmaZulu FC head coach Romain Folz was pleased with his charges’ mentality during their draw against Maritzburg United last week Friday.
Guily Manziba came off the bench to score a late equalising goal which ensured that Usuthu drew 1-1 with the Team of Choice at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.
Folz was unhappy with the result of the DStv Premiership encounter, but the 32-year-old tactician praised his team’s resilience and fighting spirit.
“Their keeper was brilliant, I have to be honest. I give him a lot of credit,” Folz said.
“This is a win for us in terms of mentality. We will take the one point but we deserved more. Even when I rewatch the game I know I will have that feeling that we deserved to win.
“We just gave the opponent a chance to hit us from nothing. But our confidence was good. Mentally it is starting to look like what I want. We do not quit until the end, we fight back and never surrender.”
Kwame Peprah opened the scoring in the 32nd minute to hand Maritzburg, but Manziba’s stoppage-time goal ensured that the KwaZulu-Natal Derby match ended in a draw.
“It was a game that we were in control from the first minute. But we made one mistake. If my memory is correct, it was a second ball from a defensive set piece – I have to watch to see who did not take care of the guys going for the second ball,” the Frenchman added.
“There were two guys who were free. Other than that, I felt we played good football. We controlled the play. Of course we can do better going into the final third from time to time..
“But we created a certain amount of chances. It is a draw, don’t get me wrong, I am not happy with that result. But the mentality is what is going to count for the rest of the season.”
AmaZulu will be looking to return to winning ways when they face ABC Motsepe (Northern Cape) club Tornado FC in a Nedbank Cup Last 32 clash on Sunday.
The game is scheduled to be played at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium. Kick-off is at 3:00 pm CAT.