It took some adjusting to, but now that he is settling in his new role, Rivaldo Coetzee believes there’s a future for him as a central midfielder.
Coach Pitso Mosimane made the tactical change last year by moving ‘Riva’ from his natural position as a centreback to pushing him further forward as a No.6 and when he has been given a chance, the Bafana Bafana international has passed with flying colours.
“Yes, I would say that the position grew on me and training in that position every day before the lockdown has helped me to adapt to it,” he explains.
“I actually enjoy playing midfield, I hope I can continue there and maybe have a future in that position.”
Coetzee has had to be more alert since the adjustment and it’s only natural that in the middle of the park, where a lot of the game is dictated, you have to be razor sharp.
“It was a bit tricky in the beginning, I wasn’t used to people pressing me from behind. I was used to seeing everything on the pitch and that made it easier for me to attack space,” says the 23-year old.
“But in midfield you have to think quicker and always scan so you know what’s happening around you, and know what to do with the ball before you even receive it.”
He says he has found some favourites he can model his game around now that the coach has switched his position.
“There are a few players that I like in that position, especially from teams that play the same football we do at Mamelodi Sundowns, which is to dominate and play to always have the ball. Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan at Manchester City are just two examples,” concludes Coetzee.
If you keep calm & work hard, you can even emulate those two.
The only thing is to accept the challenge and work hard to master it. You are doing very well Riva good luck..
You are still you and have a room to still improve more…we trust you and hoping one day you will be leading our first eleven as captain.
As for me i suggest you go back to your central defensive position! They are too many players currently in that position unless if you are prepared to wait for your turn
You seem natural in that midfield and I can see you going overseas playing as a cam than CB…either way you play both amazingly…cant wait to watch you again
Why is it taking too long for the team to return to training? Our likes to use excuses when the team is not performing! I hope we wont hear the stories of returning to training late as the reason why the team will be under performing come the resumption of the league! Our main rivals started their training today!
To play in different position it show you got talent so let it shine, but hard work will make you better than what you are now