Rivaldo Coetzee: A special Kakamas talent still out to realise his full potential

The utility defender has finally recovered from a hernia operation that sidelined him for more than nine months, leaving doubts whether he’d get a chance to fulfill his potential anytime soon. 

READ: Record-breaking Downs deserve their flowers - Rulani Mokwena

Coetzee was allowed to speak to the media at Chloorkop about his return on Thursday, ahead of their CAF Champions League assignment on the weekend.

"There was never any doubt in my mind. This is all I've wanted to do all my life, so I knew that it would require a little bit more, and the mental part is very big, especially in sports in general," said Coetzee.

"And then also, you also have all these amazing people around you that guide and help you, a little bit of extra work in the gym as well, with the physios, focussing a lot on recovery."

Sundowns signed the Kakamas-born star almost immediately after his imminent transfer to Scotland collapsed upon Celtic discovering an underlying foot injury. 

The setback last season was another hurdle in the player’s career, but he says he has never lost hope. 

"I knew I would come back, it was just about being mentally strong and always being in good shape, like Coach [Rulani Mokwena] says, take care of your body and your career.

"I always knew that I would come back, and then it's a matter of controlling what you can – and that is to be your best at training every day, whether it's in the gym or on the pitch, and the rest is up to the technical team."

Players in Coetzee’s situation hardly get a second chance – the common theme being that contracts get terminated when there’s no return on investment. 

The ex-South African youth international now wants to repay Sundowns. 

"I will always be grateful to this team. They bought me when I was injured, and they knew that I would not play for the first year," he noted.

"Last year as well, I was injured for a full year again, and the club has been very good to me. I can't thank them enough."

READ: Sundowns mum over Al Wahda transfer bid for Gaston Sirino