Agent Mike Makaab has gone into detail to explain why there is no bitterness in Mamelodi Sundowns’ decision not to extend the contract of Rivaldo Coetzee, as they get excited for a new chapter in the player’s life.
Sundowns had until the end of May to decide on whether they want to exercise the option in Coetzee’s contract, but opted against it, which makes him a free agent. It ended an eight-year stay for the former Ajax Cape Town defender at Sundowns, who signed him after a move to Glasgow Celtic fell through.
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What’s clear about Rivaldo Coetzee’s exit from Mamelodi Sundowns is that there is no hard feelings. Nicknamed ‘The System’, Coetzee had a tough few years at Sundowns which were plagued by injury, but he was always able to show his quality on the pitch when he was fit.
“No, I’m not surprised. They’ve got a big squad of players and, as I’ve said, we can only be grateful to Mamelodi Sundowns that when his deal with Glasgow Celtic fell through because of the injury he sustained, they were prepared to invest in him and they took almost a whole season to help him recover. They got him back into great shape and he started playing again and so we have to really be grateful to Sundowns in terms of the way they treated Rivaldo, the professionalism in which they approached the whole thing,” Makaab told Soccer Laduma.
“He’s had a wonderful time with them and he’s won a lot of silverware with them and now it’s time for a new chapter in his life."
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Soccer Laduma understands that, despite Coetzee’s injury challenges, there are a few clubs expected to knock on his door. SuperSport United and Stellenbosch FC are clubs believed to be considering a move for the player.
“I think he’ll have options; there’s no doubt in my mind. He was back in full training (before the end of the season). He has fully recovered from his injury. And by the way, the injury was tackle inflicted. It wasn’t a recurrence of an old injury. It was unfortunate for him, just when he was starting to play good football again. As we speak, we are talking among our team for the opportunities we can create for him.”
