The life of a promising young footballer can be a rollercoaster. One day, you're the hottest prospect in the land, Bafana Bafana debut at 17, Europe calling. The next, a crushing blow at the eleventh hour shatters your dreams. Rivaldo Coetzee, Mamelodi Sundowns' versatile defender, knows that feeling all too well.
After dazzling in the Ajax Cape Town youth ranks and playing for South Africa as a teenager, his talent caught the eye of Scottish giants Glasgow Celtic. In 2017, a move to Europe, a childhood dream for many, seemed within reach. Then, the unthinkable happened. A failed medical due to an injury, the dream vanishing like smoke on the wind.
READ: Optimistic Johnson Hopeful Of Chiefs Stay
"It's still tough to talk about to this day (sigh). But when you had such an opportunity to go to a big club and then for it to fall through at the last minute, I thought about quitting after that," Coetzee told the Sundowns YouTube podcast the Pitch-Side.
The disappointment is palpable, the weight of unfulfilled potential hanging heavy.
But what fuels a comeback is often the embers of that same disappointment. Coetzee found solace in the confidence instilled by then-Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, their phone conversation a beacon in the darkness. He used it as fuel, a fire to keep pushing. Rodgers was a high-profile coach in the United Kingdom at the time, having recently left Liverpool.
"I had already signed a contract and I spoke to the coach at the time, Brendan Rodgers. I spoke to him on the phone and the conversation we had I used it as a stepping stone to go even further.
"He just gave me that confidence that I'm going to come in and play and I'm going to be big for him in the team and for it to fall through, I still don't know exactly how I made it through that."
Despite having the backing of Rodgers, it was the disappointment of missing out on working with him at Celtic, that was a real test for Coetzee. Then came Sundowns, with outstretched arms and unwavering belief. Joining the Brazilians, a powerhouse in South African football, became the silver lining, the light at the end of the tunnel.
"I also think when Sundowns came in (to sign me) it helped me a little bit to make it better (the failed move)," Coetzee stated.
Today, at 27, Coetzee is building his own story at Chloorkop. His total appearances for the Brazilians may not paint the full picture, but the resilience he's honed through adversity is a valuable asset. The goals and assists will come, trophies will be lifted, but the fight that brought him here, from Celtic heartbreak to Sundowns redemption, is a tale in itself – one that inspires any footballer facing their own hurdles.
Unfortunately for him, Coetzee didn't make the South Africa squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, which is surprising since SAFA invested in developing him at Bafana level when he was a teenager. Now that's he's gained experience at international level and for Sundowns in Caf football, he's no longer in the South Africa set-up.
READ: Pitso Back In The Land Of Pharaohs? Killer Weighs In
Open a tab account, it's easy and start betting on local and international soccer now!
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
