‘He can challenge the best’

SuperSport United and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper coach Andre Arendse, who worked with Reyaad Pieterse for two seasons during his stay in Pretoria, says he is a big admirer of the shot-stopper’s mental strength. “Reyaad is a special case for me,” Arendse says. “I remember when he came back from Europe and there was a potential opportunity for me to work with him at Bidvest Wits. He came to Wits, but for some or other reason it did not work out because I think he wanted to move to Chiefs. But eventually our paths crossed at SuperSport United. “Reyaad is one of those tough-minded, top talents. The big part of the modern game is to have a strong mind, and that’s the one thing that has always stood out for me with Reyaad. I always say to goalkeepers that it’s a very important component to have in their game, because it’s a tough job being the last line of defence.” By the time Pieterse left Matsatsantsa to join Mamelodi Sundowns, the gloveman had progressed immensely according to his former goalkeeper coach, who was well-pleased with the improvements made in his game. “He is a talented goalkeeper in his own right, but when working with him, I saw parts he needed to improve on in his game, because Reyaad is generally a big goalkeeper,” Arendse says. “I needed to get his feet working quicker, getting him moving quicker in the 18-yard area and that’s what we did. By the time he left to go to Sundowns, I was very pleased with his progress. I hope he gets more chances to prove that.” Having seen what he can do both at SuperSport and in the national team, Arendse is confident Pieterse can seriously challenge teammates Denis Onyango and Kennedy Mweene for a spot in the starting line-up. “He is aware of what he needs to do to challenge for a place,” the former Bafana Bafana gloveman says. “He is working in an environment where the competition is heavy. He is capable of competing with the best goalkeepers out there and that’s a good thing, because it’s different with goalkeeping. You have to wait for your chance; coaches don’t just give you games, and you can’t be substituted. It’s not something you tinker with. But in the two seasons with me, he shared the game-time with Ronwen Williams, so that is proof for me that he can challenge the best.”