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Rivaldo backed for top award

Polokwane - Both Bafana Bafana coach, Shakes Mashaba, and young defender Rivaldo Coetzee have been nominated for major accolades in this years’ South African Sports Awards.

The national team mentor has been nominated for the 2014 coach of the year accolade following his triumph in guiding the national under-20 team to the next year’s African Youth Championships to be staged in Senegal.

The 64-year-old tactician is also on the verge of guiding Bafana to their first ever African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification since 2008.

Meanwhile, the Ajax Cape Town man marker has been nominated for the Rookie of the year in the sporting industry aged 18.

Coetzee’s outstanding performance in the Urban Warriors’ colours earned him a national call up against Congo-Brazzaville last week, where he made history of being the youngest ever player to represent the South African senior team.

Mashaba is chuffed with his recognition but hinted that the young star deserved it most.

“I’m really honoured with the recognition," said Mashaba

“It shows that some people out there are recognising your hard work.

“But I think Rivaldo (Coetzee) deserves it most.

“He has played in all junior national teams except the under-23.

“He is just 18 and he is currently in the senior national team and that says a lot.

“He has been nominated for the rookie of the year award and if he wins it that would be a big bonus for him.”

The South African Sports Awards have been created to recognise and honour individuals and teams who have excelled both on and off the field between October 1, 2013 and August 31, 2014.

Candidates for the awards are nominated by the National Sports Federations, the sports media and the SA Sports Awards Voting Panel.

The South African Sports Awards will take place on November 30 at the Sandton Convention Centre.

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