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Mamelodi Sundowns co-head coach Manqoba Mngqithi on Thursday hailed the qualities of Rivaldo Coetzee by saying he is good enough to feature for any of the top sides in world football after a midfield masterclass in a win over Orlando Pirates.
READ | FT | Nedbank Cup: Mamelodi Sundowns v Orlando Pirates
Coetzee, a converted central defender, shone as a holding midfielder in a 4-1 win over the Buccaneers in a Nedbank Cup quarter-final clash at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
The Bafana Bafana international dominated the pace of the game and set up the opening goal of the match scored by Peter Shalulile.
Goals by Themba Zwane, Lesedi Kapinga and captain Hlompho Kekana ensured a dominant win as Sundowns advanced to the competition's semi-finals.
Speaking after the final whistle, Mngqithi hailed the qualities of Coetzee while favourably comparing him to some of the best midfielders in the game.
"His passing range is unbelievable and we knew when we converted him into central midfield that very few midfielders have the passing range of Rivaldo," Mngqithi told SuperSport TV.
"At times players can rush their decisions but Rivaldo is always relaxed and he is always making sure that his passes are as precise as we want.
"Credit should be given to the development that he got, all of the coaches who've worked with him must get credit.
"For me, Rivaldo can play for any big team in the world in that position, if you compare him with all the top central midfielders, you'll find Sergio Busquets and Fernandinho in that space.
"He's got those qualities and he performs at the highest level.
"His intellectual capacity and comprehension of tactics are out of this world."
Sundowns next turn their attention to the PSL where they travel to Durban to face an in-form AmaZulu side under Benni McCarthy.
Kick-off is at 15:00.
