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Cape Town - Former Bafana Bafana defender Mark Fish sees Rivaldo Coetzee as a “reliable defender” and hopes the 18-year-old stays grounded.
According to KickOff, Fish admits that with Shakes Mashaba at the helm, who is “passionate about youth development”, Rivaldo has a better chance of a long senior national career.
“From what I have seen, he seems to be a reliable defender. He has a calm, steady approach and he will improve on this as he plays more matches," Fish said.
"It is too early to start analysing his approach in detail but he must work hard and make sure he makes that position his own. This is the only way he can get more international caps.”
Fish, part of the famous 1996 AFCON triumph, hopes that the player does not get tied down by the status trap of playing for Bafana.
"The most important thing for him is to keep his feet firmly on the ground. At this level, one can easily be swayed or distracted by the status that comes with playing for the national team. He must not fall into this trap."
Rivaldo will be in action this weekend with Ajax Cape Town when the Urban Warriors face Kaizer Chiefs in a top-of-the-table clash on Sunday, October 19.
Kick-off at 15:30.
