RIVALDO Coetzee was so nervous in the hours before Bafana Bafana's match against Congo that he considered asking coach Shakes Mashaba to take him out of the starting line-up.
But the matric pupil kept quiet and instead played a starring role as he became the youngest player to represent the national side. After the match he spoke freely about his anxiety, which increased when Bafana arrived at the ground, where partisan Congo fans banged on the team bus.
"I was told I was playing after supper [on Friday night] and was very shocked. I didn't expect it. Because there's more senior players here, more experienced, and they know Africa well," Coetzee admitted.
"In the team talk the coach just said this is my one chance. I must make use of it, and do what they brought me here to do.
"I did sleep. I wanted to sleep the whole day. I didn't want time to move - I wanted it to stand still because I was very nervous.
"I kept telling myself I think I'm not ready, and maybe I must tell the coach he should take me out."
At 17 years, 11 months and 26 days old, Coetzee eclipsed Aaron Mokoena as the youngest player to represent the national team, starting at centre-back in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying 2-0 win in Pointe-Noire.
The Ajax Cape Town defender did not put a foot wrong, showing calmness far beyond his years. The player from Kakamas in the Northern Cape has been a starter for Ajax alongside 19-year-old Abbubaker Mobara this season in what must be one of the youngest centre-back partnerships seen in the PSL.
"It's very emotional," he said on Saturday evening in the team hotel. "Coming into this game the team knew it would be a war.
"But the leadership next to me helped a lot, especially [Mulomowandau] Mathoho - not from talking, but from the things he does. When he did something good I wanted to do the same."
Mashaba believes there are more rough diamonds such as Coetzee to be discovered.
l See page 26
Coetzee grabs his chance
RIVALDO Coetzee was so nervous in the hours before Bafana Bafana's match against Congo that he considered asking coach Shakes Mashaba to take him out of the starting line-up.
But the matric pupil kept quiet and instead played a starring role as he became the youngest player to represent the national side. After the match he spoke freely about his anxiety, which increased when Bafana arrived at the ground, where partisan Congo fans banged on the team bus.
"I was told I was playing after supper [on Friday night] and was very shocked. I didn't expect it. Because there's more senior players here, more experienced, and they know Africa well," Coetzee admitted.
"In the team talk the coach just said this is my one chance. I must make use of it, and do what they brought me here to do.
"I did sleep. I wanted to sleep the whole day. I didn't want time to move - I wanted it to stand still because I was very nervous.
"I kept telling myself I think I'm not ready, and maybe I must tell the coach he should take me out."
At 17 years, 11 months and 26 days old, Coetzee eclipsed Aaron Mokoena as the youngest player to represent the national team, starting at centre-back in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying 2-0 win in Pointe-Noire.
The Ajax Cape Town defender did not put a foot wrong, showing calmness far beyond his years. The player from Kakamas in the Northern Cape has been a starter for Ajax alongside 19-year-old Abbubaker Mobara this season in what must be one of the youngest centre-back partnerships seen in the PSL.
"It's very emotional," he said on Saturday evening in the team hotel. "Coming into this game the team knew it would be a war.
"But the leadership next to me helped a lot, especially [Mulomowandau] Mathoho - not from talking, but from the things he does. When he did something good I wanted to do the same."
Mashaba believes there are more rough diamonds such as Coetzee to be discovered.
l See page 26
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