Mamelodi Sundowns mentor Manqoba Mngqithi has lauded new assistant coach Romain Folz.
The French former Marumo Gallants and AmaZulu boss was roped in following the exit of Rulani Mokwena, and subsequent restructuring at Downs that included the return of Steve Komphela.
Folz endured a torrid time in his previous spell in South Africa, but Mngqithi says the 34-year-old has a number of impressive attributes, not least his ability to spot talent.
He was recommended for his most recent post as a Performance Manager at FIFA by Arsene Wenger, having spent a brief spell at Horoya AC after leaving Usuthu.
Mngqithi told Marawa Sports Worldwide: “To be honest with you, it’s just a shame in our country because when you didn’t do well with a team, sometimes you did well, but when the team decides to let you go, people make their own judgments.
“If you look at what Fohloza did at Marumo, the players he brought there. He brought [Junior] Dion who’s at AmaZulu, top player, he brought [Ismael Olivier] Toure, now at Stellenbosch, top player. He brought Lesiba Nku, who’s doing well with us at Sundowns.
“Just go back and look at the matches during his time at Marumo, then you will realise the quality and the ability of this young man.
“I was fortunate; I even invited him to Joburg when he was working for AmaZulu because I wanted to know what he had in his mind and get to understand his ability.
“What I can tell you is that I’ve brought a very good coach next to me and even the ones that are talking negatively, one day they will understand that I don’t bring people because they are my own cousins or my uncles or what what.
“I know what I want from Romain and already he’s beginning to give that. The perspective from players has changed completely because they also listen to these voices that are misleading them.”