De Sa feels that Coetzee’s move from Ikamva to Scottish side Glasgow Celtic could be a positive step in the defender’s career.
“I’m obviously very happy for him to go play abroad. And for a Champions League club – even better!
“He’s come a long way since joining Ajax as a teenager. I think it was my second game where I gave him his debut. He was good from day one. And as a central defender at 17 it's quite difficult. But he took to it extremely well. From then on he started playing for the national youth teams and went right up to Bafana level. He got there very quickly. He managed to grow and mature very well in a short space of time. It’s amazing what he’s been able to achieve,” De Sa tells snl24.com/kickoff.
The former Urban Warriors coach also remembers discussing Coetzee’s future at the Cape Town club whilst still in charge, and how they should prepare for the player’s imminent transfer.
“At my last year at Ajax, we spoke about Rivaldo’s departure almost every day and how we should be ready for it. So if they’re not ready by now then they’ll never be,” he explains.
Since the conclusion of the deal for Coetzee’s departure, many have questioned whether the player can do well overseas, and specifically at Celtic. De Sa thinks that this will be a good test for the defender to grow and enhance his skill and professionalism.
“Over there [in Scotland], he’s going to have to step up a little bit and become a man very quickly. Football-wise I have no question about it – his football skills are very much on the level he needs for Scotland. I still wonder whether he will adapt to his new league at a top Scottish side.
“The Scottish league wouldn’t be my first choice for him. But it could be a move in the right direction. And he could move on to bigger things after this.”