AmaZulu coach plays down underdogs tag ahead of MTN8 final against Pirates

AmaZulu head coach Romain Folz has refused to label his side as the underdogs in the build-up to Saturday's MTN8 final in Durban. 

Usuthu will face a wounded Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Despite the Buccaneers' recent defeat to arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs defeat, they will head into the game as favourites.  

But Folz, who in his previous game received his first win on South African shores after a 1-0 success over Stellenbosch FC, backs his side's chances in the final.

"I don't know if we're going into this game as underdogs or not," Folz told reporters. 

"I think it's going to be a game between two very good teams. I'll be honest saying that what happens on their side in the previous game (1-0 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs) is their matters and not mine. I'd like to focus on what we have to do."

Having recently played to a 1-1 draw against Pirates, the 32-year-old believes there won't be many changes from that recent encounter.

"Obviously, it does not mean we're not looking at what they're doing, try to analyse how they play, the different variations in their shape they might have, the different styles of play they might have which we know from the last time we played them and today there's not so many changes. There are few tricks here and there that they've added but I wouldn't say we're favourites or underdogs. 

"I think we're here because we deserve to be here, we didn't steal anyone's spot and it's a matter of giving our best like we always do. As I always say, if we deserve to win that game, we'll win it," stated a defiant Folz. 

Kick-off is 18:00 on Saturday.