Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Rivaldo Coetzee has opened up on how being mentally strong helped him to overcome his recent injury struggles.
Coetzee sustained a hernia injury early in March this year and he has been out of action since then. The 22-year-old had to go for surgery and is yet to kick a ball in the new season.
He has now opened up on his recovery process, saying he had to be mentally strong and push himself to get back into shape.
“Luckily for me, I was out of the pitch for an entire year when I came to Mamelodi Sundowns,” Coetzee told the club’s media department.
“So during that time I got to work on my mental well-being and learned how to be strong in such situations.
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“But this time around it’s different because I had to get surgery and I had to be strong mentally [and] because I had built up my mentality before, it worked in my favor during this injury.
“I had prepared myself mentally and I knew the recovery journey wouldn’t be easy for me. My positive mindset pushed me to put in a little bit of extra work and I was able to keep my shape during the time I was out and I’m happy about that.”
The Kakamas-born was part of the match day squad for the first time this season when Downs traveled to KwaZulu-Natal for the encounters against Maritzburg United and Royal AM, though unfortunately he did get minutes.
“I’m happy to be back with the team and on the bench because that is a good step for me as I have just returned from an injury,” he added.
Coetzee will have another chance to make his 2022/23 debut when Downs take Orlando Pirates at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on 31 December.
