The 26-year-old has been out of action since March this year after he sustained a hernia injury, which has seen him miss 15 matches so far this season.

However, Coetzee recently travelled with the Sundowns squad for the first time this season for their encounter against Maritzburg United and was named on the bench during their win over Royal AM in the match that followed but was an unused substitute.

Coetzee revealed that maintaining a positive attitude has helped him with his recovery journey as well as being surrounded by his fellow teammates.

“Luckily for me, I was out of the pitch for an entire year when I came to Mamelodi Sundowns so during that time I got to work on my mental well-being and learned how to be strong in such situations,” Coetzee told his club’s official website.

“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 favour 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.

“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”. The 25-year-old star further expressed his gratitude to the medical team at the club for looking after him during his injury and consistently checking up on him and his progress.

Photo by Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

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Coetzee was forced to end the 2021-22 campaign prematurely after picking up a hernia injury which kept him sidelined for most of the second half of Sundowns’ treble-winning season.

The 25-year-old did, though, score one goal in a total of 23 appearances in all competitions before his season ended.

However, the Masandawana midfielder has now outlined his off-season plans with the main focus on recovery.

“My off-season won’t be much of an off-season, because I essentially had an two-month break whilst the guys were finishing up the season,” Coetzee told his club’s official website.

“The main focus for me will be to get back on and starting to take my rehab to the next level so that I can be ready when the team returns for pre-season.”

The post Coetzee readies himself for the season ahead appeared first on SportsClub.

The 25-year-old made 23 appearances across all competitions for Sundowns this past season but was forced to sit out the bulk of the second half of the season due to a hernia injury.

Coetzee, who only scored one goal, felt he could’ve done better but applauded his team on their domestic clean sweep.

“For me personally it wasn’t one of my best seasons. I started off the season well but I think towards the middle of the season just before my injury, the performance dropped a little bit for me and that’s how I feel,” Coetzee told his club’s official website.

“But obviously scoring a goal it’s always something that you want to do for your team and lucky for me I could get one goal this season.

“For the club as a whole I think winning the treble is indescribable, not a lot of players have the opportunity to achieve that.

“Some guys may even play longer than you in the PSL but they don’t have the opportunity that we now have of celebrating a treble. I think credit must go to the team, it’s been a long, tough season but we stuck it out and managed to come back home with three domestic trophies.”

The post Coetzee opens up on treble season with Sundowns appeared first on SportsClub.

Broos’ charges will face face Guinea in Belgium on 25 March, and France in Lille four days later as they look to test their growth against strong opposition.

A preliminary squad was announced on Tuesday, with Mamelodi Sundowns duo Lakay and Coetzee finally given a chance under Broos after firing for some time for their club.

Star forward Percy Tau has also been included after overcoming injury and returning to action for Al Ahly recently.

Preliminary squad ahead of the international friendly matches against Guinea 🇬🇳 on 25 March 2022 and against France 🇨🇵 on 29 March 2022 pic.twitter.com/wsTdMn8Z7d

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) March 8, 2022

The final squad is set to be named at a later date.

Squad in full

Goalkeepers:
Ronwen Williams (SSU), Brandon Petersen, Bruce Bvuma (Chiefs) and Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu)

Defenders:
Nyiko Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Terrence Mashego (CT City), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Arrows), Veluyeke Zulu (Chippa), Rushine De Reuck, Lyle Lakay, Khuliso Mudau, Rivaldo Coetzee, (all Sundowns), Bandile Shandu (Pirates), Athenkosi Mcaba (Stellenbosch)

Midfielders:
Sbonelo Cele (Arrows), Pule Mmodi (Arrows), Ethan Brooks (TS Galaxy), Keagan Dolly (Chiefs), Teboho Mokoena (Sundowns), Goodman Mosele (Pirates), Thabang Monare (Pirates)

Strikers:
Evidence Makgopa (Baroka), Victor Letsoalo (Royal AM), Mduduzi Mdantsane (CT City).

The post Broos names preliminary Bafana squad for France, Guinea friendlies appeared first on SportsClub.

The Brazilians will welcome DR Congo side Maniema Union in the second leg of their Caf Champions League qualifying tie at Loftus Stadium on Sunday.

Downs will take an advantage into the clash after scoring two important away goals in last weeks first leg 2-2 draw.

The 2019/20 Footballer of the Season, Zwane, scored both of those important away goals last weekend but he was unavailable for Sundowns’ 1-0 win over Golden Arrows 1-0 on Wednesday at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium.

Coetzee, on the other hand, also didn’t feature against Arrows, but Mnqithi revealed that it was just a precaution, as they were rested with Zwane given a break to remain fresh while Coetzee was protected from a potential ban having already picked up three yellow cards in the DStv Premiership.

“Themba Zwane and Rivaldo are back. They are available for selection. I think they can help us. We had reasons not to take them to Durban, more especially Rivaldo because he had three yellow cards, so we were a little bit unsure in that space,” Mngqithi told media ahead of this weekend’s clash.

“With Themba Zwane, it’s always important to refresh him, so I think in this match they will be part of the team.”

Sundowns havare expected to get the result and continue their streak of competing in the group stages every year since 2016.

The post Coetzee, Zwane back for Caf Champions League clash – Mngqithi appeared first on SportsClub.

The Brazilians moved to the top of the DStv Premiership standings after claiming a 2-0 win over Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld Stadium this past Sunday through goals from Grant Kekana and Peter Shalulile.

Coetzee, who was named man of the match, praised his side’s defensive work rate to nullify Amakhosi’s attacks.

“We came into this game knowing what to expect,” Coetzee told SuperSport TV after the game.

“We knew they would play more on the counter. I think our rest defence was proper today and we didn’t give them a chance.”

When asked about the possibility of earning a place in the South African national team, Coetzee insisted that he is only focused on improving his performance.

“For me, I’m just trying to improve every game. I think the international break gives you that extra time to do some more individual work to improve ourselves. From a team perspective,” he added.

“It is always a tough game. We did analysis on our MTN8 match against them before we came into the game, so we knew where they want to play. But, also for us, we knew which spaces to use. We expected them to come with a back five which they did do for most of the game. I think we prepared well.”

Mamelodi Sundowns will take on TS Galaxy in their next DStv Premiership match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday, 19 September, with kick-off set at 5pm.

The post Coetzee: We didn’t give Chiefs a chance appeared first on SportsClub.

The Brazilians will kick start their 2021-22 campaign when they welcome Kaizer Chiefs to the Lucas Moripe Stadium in the quarter-finals of the MTN8 on Sunday.

However, Coetzee is confident that his side’s preparations will see them advance to the next round of the competition.

“We are preparing the same way we do for every match. We’re going into the game to win it, because we had a full pre-season with the coaches, we know our structure, we know how to play, we know the philosophy of the team now,” Coetzee told his club’s official website.

“We are better prepared going into this year’s cup competition compared to last year.

“I think it will be a tough game, two big clubs in the first round of the MTN 8, [both teams] will want to go through and obviously win it. It’s a big game and a good way to start the new season off.

“They are at the back of coming from the Champions League final, they will be motivated, coming into this game I’m sure they will come with a positive mind set. They’ve got a new coach as well; I think we can expect a different Chiefs compared to last season.

He added: “Keep supporting us, remember it is the first game of the season, without making any excuses we are ready, we are going into this game to win it and I think that will set a benchmark for us going into the start of the league games.

“It can only be positive for us to win it but, this is football, anything can happen. Whatever the results may be, keep supporting us and I am sure we will deliver this season.”

The post Coetzee: We’re going into the game to win it appeared first on SportsClub.

The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, 6 June at 8pm and will be live broadcast on the SuperSport PSL channel (202) and SABC.

Thabiso Kutumela (Maritzburg United), Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns) and Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns) will battle for the 2020-21 PSL Footballer of the Season and the DStv Premiership Player’s Player of the Season awards.

Voting for the PSL Footballer of the Season is done by Premier Division coaches while the DStv Premiership Player’s Player of the Season category is voted for by the players in the Premier Division. All the other categories were voted for by panels comprising journalists and football commentators.

In the DStv Premiership Coach of the Season category, AmaZulu’s Benni McCarthy is up against Golden Arrows coach Mandla Ncikazi and the Mamelodi Sundowns duo of Manqoba Mngqithi and Rulani Mokwena.

In the MTN8, the Orlando Pirates pair of Deon Hotto and Ben Motshwari together with Bloemfontein Celtic striker Victor Letsoalo are in line to win the MTN8 Last Man Standing.

For the Nedbank Cup categories, Maloisane Mokhele (Chippa United), Khanyisa Mayo (Richards Bay FC) and Njabulo Blom (Kaizer Chiefs) have been nominated for the Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player of the Tournament while Washington Arubi, Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo (both Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila) and Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns) will be vying for the Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament prize.

Below are the categories:

PSL Footballer of the Season
Thabiso Kutumela (Maritzburg United)
Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)

#PSLAwards2021 Nominees

Footballer of the Season pic.twitter.com/68KUGMu6Kp

— TFGSoccerClub (@TFGSoccerClub) May 26, 2021

DStv Premiership Player’s Player of the Season
Thabiso Kutumela (Maritzburg United)
Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)

#PSLAwards2021 Nominees

DStv Premiership Player’s Player of the Season pic.twitter.com/R3c7hk8eIX

— TFGSoccerClub (@TFGSoccerClub) May 26, 2021

DStv Premiership Coach of the Season
Benni McCarthy (AmaZulu FC)
Manqoba Mngqithi, Rhulani Mokwena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Mandla Ncikazi (Golden Arrows)

#PSLAwards2021 Nominees

DStv Premiership Coach of the Season pic.twitter.com/wdEjpkLlWL

— TFGSoccerClub (@TFGSoccerClub) May 26, 2021

DStv Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season
Sifiso Mlungwana (Golden Arrows)
Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu FC)
Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns)

#PSLAwards2021 Nominees

DStv Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season pic.twitter.com/rHKKDtJOnP

— TFGSoccerClub (@TFGSoccerClub) May 26, 2021

DStv Premiership Defender of the Season
Mosa Lebusa (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Njabulo Ngcobo (Swallows FC)
Tapelo Xoki (AmaZulu FC)

#PSLAwards2021 Nominees

DStv Premiership Defender of the Season pic.twitter.com/qOaVwdXRTJ

— TFGSoccerClub (@TFGSoccerClub) May 26, 2021

DStv Premiership Midfielder of the Season
Rivaldo Coetzee (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Makhehlene Makhaula (AmaZulu FC)
Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)

#PSLAwards2021 Nominees

DStv Premiership Midfielder of the Season pic.twitter.com/L0Ss5L8WNb

— TFGSoccerClub (@TFGSoccerClub) May 26, 2021

DStv Premiership Young Player of the Season
Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Maritzburg United)
Kamogelo Mahlangu (TS Galaxy)
Evidence Makgopa (Baroka FC)

#PSLAwards2021 Nominees

DStv Premiership Young Player of the Season pic.twitter.com/tDgBHEFIsa

— TFGSoccerClub (@TFGSoccerClub) May 26, 2021

MTN8 Last Man Standing
Deon Hotto (Orlando Pirates)
Victor Letsoalo (Bloemfontein Celtic)
Ben Motshwari (Orlando Pirates)

#PSLAwards2021 Nominees

MTN8 Last Man Standing pic.twitter.com/IsP3veCQiR

— TFGSoccerClub (@TFGSoccerClub) May 26, 2021

Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament
Washington Arubi (Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila)
Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo (Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila)
Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns)

#PSLAwards2021 Nominees

Nedbank Cup Player of The Tournament pic.twitter.com/fKXe41jE2d

— TFGSoccerClub (@TFGSoccerClub) May 26, 2021

Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player of the Season
Njabulo Blom (Kaizer Chiefs)
Khanyisa Mayo (Richards Bay FC)
Maloisane Mokhele (Chippa United)

#PSLAwards2021 Nominees

Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player of the Tournament pic.twitter.com/hF1tckYRKE

— TFGSoccerClub (@TFGSoccerClub) May 26, 2021

DStv Diski Challenge Rewired Player of the Season
Boitumelo Radiopane (Orlando Pirates)
Lindokuhle Zungu (AmaZulu)
Siyanda Nyanga (Mamelodi Sundowns)

#PSLAwards2021 Nominees

DStv Diski Challenge Rewired Player of the Tournament pic.twitter.com/E8FYaww1UL

— TFGSoccerClub (@TFGSoccerClub) May 26, 2021

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Thembisani Nevhulamba gave TTM the lead in the 18th minute, but Sundowns rallied a comeback through goals from Rivaldo Coetzee, Sphelele Mkhulise and Sibusiso Vilakazi.

WATCH: TTM 1-3 Mamelodi Sundowns

The post Highlights: Sundowns return to winning ways with comeback win over TTM appeared first on SportsClub.

The Brazilians welcomed back Denis Onyango, Themba Zwane, Rivaldo Coetzee and Peter Shalulile to the starting lineup following their goalless draw with Al-Hilal in the Caf Champions League group stages.

Sundowns dominated early on in the game and produced a few chances through Lebohang Maboe and Gaston Sirino.

But TTM stunned the home side when they took the lead in the 18th minute after Thembisani Nevhulamba headed the ball past Denis Onyango to make it 1-0.

Themba Zwane nearly levelled matter three minutes later but saw his curling effort narrowly missed the goal frame.

Onyango was called into action in the 26th minute when he produced a fine save to deny Nicholus Lukhubeni at the near post. Meanwhile, at the other end, Washington Arubi made a save of his own to deny Thapelo Morena.

The away side came close to finding an equalising goal in the 42nd minute when Rushine De Reuck stretched to connect with a loose ball from a corner before seeing his effort saved on the line.

Sundowns’ persistence did manage to pay off with the last kick of the game when Rivaldo Coetzee headed the ball home at the near post to draw his side level at half time.

The visitors had a golden opportunity to take the lead early in the second half when Sirino lobbed the ball over the onrushing Arubi, but Nonyane got back in time to clear off the line.

Sundowns then had two chances minutes apart but Morena flashed his strike just wide of the far post, before Lyle Lakay fired his powerful effort straight into the hands of Arubi.

The Brazilians were then awarded a penalty on the half-hour mark after Zwane was brought down inside the box. Sirino stepped up but failed to hit the target from 12 yards out as his effort sailed high and wide of the target.

Sundowns made amends for their earlier miss and took the lead eight minutes later when Sphelele Mkhulise found the back of the net with a neat header after receiving an inviting ball from the right.

The Tshwane giants opted to make a substitution in the 71st minute for the welcome return of Sibusiso Vilakazi, who replaced Maboe.

The home side came inches from drawing the game level in the 78th minute, but Thabo Mnyamane saw his curling free kick crash off the woodwork before deflecting out for a goal kick.

Sirino and Zwane were then taken off in the 79th minute to make way for George Maluleka and Promise Mkhuma, respectively.

Vilakazi did not wait long to make his presence felt as he gave Sundowns their third goal with a neat finish at the far post to make it 3-1.

Sundowns made their final two changes in the final minutes of the game as Aubrey Modiba and Brian Onyango came on for Mkhulise and Shalulile.

The Tshwane giants continued to press forward in search of more goals in the closing stages of the game but had to settle for a 3-1 victory over TTM and all three points.

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