Rivaldo now has an opportunity to test himself at a higher level with Celtic
RIVALDO COETZEE’S dream of playing football in Europe will soon be realised. Last night, Ajax Cape Town announced that a deal had been concluded with Scottish champions Celtic.
The 20-year-old central defender, who was yesterday also named in the Bafana Bafana squad for the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde, will, however, first have to pass a medical and acquire a work permit. In principle, though, an agreement between Ajax and Celtic has been reached.
An overseas transfer is what Coetzee has always wanted, ever since he made the trek from Kakamas in the Northern Cape to the Cape club’s youth academy. Always highly touted as a junior, Coetzee made his PSL debut at the age of 17, and that very same season he was also called up to the Bafana squad. At the time, he was the youngest ever Bafana squad member, only for the record to be broken soon after by Santos striker Fagrie Lakay.
After performing with distinction for club and country over the last few seasons, the ambitious Coetzee, it would appear, became rather frustrated. As such, he failed to pitch for pre-season training at Ajax two months ago; the move was designed to force the Cape club’s management into some sort of action with regards to a high-profile transfer.
Fortunately, the young defender came to his senses, realising that his stand-off with the club wasn’t very professional. He met with the club, everything was sorted out, and Coetzee returned to training. And, just to prove his immense potential and value to a team, when Ajax went 1-0 down to Golden Arrows in their opening PSL match at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday night, it was Coetzee who popped up with the equaliser. It was his first-ever goal in the PSL.
Ajax coach Stanley Menzo admitted that, because Coetzee had missed three weeks of pre-season training, he wasn’t fully fit. But the former Ajax Amsterdam and Netherlands goalkeeper still selected the defender – and the player demonstrated, in no uncertain terms, just why he is one of the most promising talents in the country.
Now, having landed a transfer to Celtic, one of the big names in European football, and where he will work with former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, Coetzee has an opportunity to test himself at a higher level. Celtic look set to compete in the Uefa Champions League, having defeated FC Astana 5-0 in the first leg last week. The Scots are currently in Kazakstan for this week’s second leg.
Coetzee is set to jet off to Scotland later this week for the medical and to meet up with his new teammates.
As usual, in South African football, transfer amounts are never mentioned – but, according to Scottish newspapers, Celtic have paid £800 000 (about R13million) for Coetzee’s services.
Elsewhere, Roland Putsche, by his own admission, is his own worst critic. The 26-yearold Cape Town City hard man, from Klagenfurt in Austria, sets high standards for himself and admits he is not a happy chappy after a disappointing performance.
City have won their two opening games of the new season – 1-0 victories over Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-finals and champions Wits in the league. For Putsche, in his critical assessment of his own performances, it was one plus and one minus. He was named Man of the Match against Polokwane for another trademark display of tireless industry and unselfish toil in midfield. Against Wits, though, he wasn’t all that satisfied with his contribution – and he’s hoping to elevate things again.
“Two games and two different performances from me,” said Putsche. “I wasn’t happy with my game against Wits at all … But, to be honest, it wasn’t an easy game. I want to be consistent this season and that means I have to perform at a high level week after week. I always analyse my performances very critically – and even more so when I play well.”