Mamelodi Sundowns assistant head coach Manqoba Mngqithi could not stop praising Rivaldo Coetzee following his outstanding performance in their 4-1 win against Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup.
Sundowns outclassed Orlando Pirates in an intriguing quarter-final at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Thursday. Goals from Peter Shalulile, Themba Zwane, Lesedi Kapinga and Hlompho Kekana handed them a semi-final berth while Tshegofatso Mabasa scored what proved to be a consolation goal for Pirates.
Mngqithi in his post-match interview, described Coetzee as a complete player who has the prospect of playing for any top team in the world. In what would come as an eye-catching statement, the Sundowns boss compared the 24-year-old to some of the best midfield names in world football.
“His passing range is unbelievable, we knew when we converted him into central midfield, very few central midfielders in the country have got a passing range of Rivaldo” said the ecstatic Sundowns manager.
“And the tenacity, at times players can rush to make this decisions but Rivaldo is always relaxed and making sure that his passes are as precise as we want and credit must go to the development that he got, coaches that worked with him must get credit.”
“Because for me Rivaldo can play for any big team in the world in that position, if you can compare him with all the top central midfielders, the sixes, you find [Sergio] Busquets in that space, you will find Fernandinho in that space, he’s got those qualities and he performs at the highest level.”
“For me his intellectual capacity and comprehension of tactics is out of this world.”
Sundowns will take on Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in the semi-final of the Nedbank on Sunday. They will go into that game as huge favorites to win and will fancy their chances of going all the way to win the competition.
Following that game, Sundowns will now travel to Princess Magogo Stadium on Wednesday to take on second-placed and equally high-flying Amazulu. Having built up a six-point lead already despite two games in hand, a win for the Brazilians in that fixture will more or less see them move inches closer to an unprecedented title triumph. This fixture will also be one to watch out for as Sundowns remain unbeaten in the league and Amazulu are technically one of the sides that could upset that flawless feat, based on current form and performances so far this season.