Mamelodi Sundowns defensive midfielder Rivaldo Coetzee has explained why he nearly retired from professional football.
Having broken through at Ajax Cape Town at the green age of 17, Coetzee gained an early reputation as a bright prospect and was tipped to be South Africa’s next big export.
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That prophecy nearly became reality when reports emerged linking the Cape Town born star with a move to Scottish giants Glasgow. According to Coetzee, the deal went as far as him putting-pen-to-paper before it collapsed when he reportedly failed his medical.
Speaking to Mamelodi Sundowns’ The Pitchside Podcast, the midfielder opened up on the failed move.
"It’s still tough to talk about it even to this day," Coetzee said.
"When you have such an opportunity to go to such a big club, for it to fall through at the last minute, I thought about quitting [retiring from football] after that.
"I had already signed the contract. I spoke to the coach at that time, Brendan Rodgers. I spoke to him on the phone, and the conversation that we had, I could see myself using that as a stepping stone to go even further.
"He just gave me that confidence that I’m going to come in, and I’m going to play. I’m going to be big for him and the team."
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After the failed move, Coetzee joined Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns where, despite further challenges with injuries.
When Sundowns came in, it helped a little bit to make it better. I think if I had to stay at Ajax [Cape Town], I wasn’t going to recover," Coetzee added.
Coetzee is gradually climbing back to his best form, having made 115 appearances and registered two goals and six assists in addition to multiple titles with The Brazilians.
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