Folz happy with AmaZulu’s comeback kids, Ekstein and Qalinge 

AmaZulu FC coach Romain Folz was impressed with comeback kid Hendrik “Pule” Ekstein’s showing in their 2-0 defeat to Royal AM on Sunday. 

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Ekstein is back with the AmaZulu senior team after he and Thabo Qalinge were sent to train with the juniors at the start of the season. 

The attacking duo were brought back into the senior team at the recommendation of assistant coach Ayanda Dlamini, Phakaaathi has heard. 

Dlamini had been working with Qalingfe and Ekstein in the junior teams before he was brought up to assist Folz in the first team. 

It was then that he spoke to Folz about the duo when he complained about lacking some experience in the attacking phases of the game. 

Ekstein started his first game this season against provincial neighbours Royal AM and gave a promising showing that left Folz impressed.

“I think Ekstein did very well,” said Folz after the game at Chatsworth Stadium. “He was a marvellous player on the field today – very dynamic and he was good on the ball.” 

On Qalinge, Folz said it might take him some time to readapt to the pace of the game having spent over six months inactive.

“I think Qalinge lacked a little bit of pace. It has been a long time since he played at this level. 

So, for an offensive player like that to get the pace back, it will take a couple of games.” 

Folz is hoping that his team will tick and give a good performance, complemented with a good result when they host Kaizer Chiefs at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday.

“There is always pressure in every game you play and if I look at the table, we are not where we want to be, but we are not far away as well, so we will be back…

“We are still in the process of doing something. I’m not happy with the results, but we will be back soon and we will do our best in our next match against Kaizer Chiefs on Friday.”