Rivaldo Coetzee has fought a concoction of injury battles through his time at Mamelodi Sundowns but there is never doubt about his importance at the club.
'Riva' is into his seventh season at Sundowns having arrived in August 2017 but has battled severe injury disturbances that have diluted his input.
READ | 'He is the type of striker we don't have'
After injury forced him out for all his first season at Chloorkop, the hospital ward has also largely contributed to him featuring in only 106 out of 253 games that Sundowns have played since then.
Only once (2020/21) has the 26-year-old played more games than he has missed in a single season.
Yet this season, he has had a refreshing start playing 10 of the 12 games so far.
"It is not easy to be out for so long and then come and having coaches that believe in you," says Coetzee.
"The pre-season was a huge stepping because pre-season always sets you up to be part of the bigger picture for the whole season.
"It is easy to stay with the team because there is so much harmony in the team.
"It is like I haven't been away and to be part of this group with so much quality every day is a priviledge and it makes it so much easy to come after being out for so long.
"There was never any doubt (of returning) because I knew that I would come back, and this was about being mentally strong, take care of your body, and career.
"I always knew that I would come back.
"I feel appreciated here at this club," says Coetzee who has been doubling as holding midfielder and central defender this term.
"It is never easy to adjust to new things for us as footballers.
"For a lot of us as footballers we like to be comfortable but then there are some of us who like the challenges.
"We have worked on this role for me in this formation since the second week of pre-season, so we have had quite a lot of time to work on it.
"So far, I have been enjoying it and I feel like I'm growing into it more now and I think it can only get better as the season progresses," he explains.
You must be Sign In to read and post comments.
Click HERE to register!