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It turned into the saga of the summer of 2017, the story of transfer that lasted for weeks to end in claim and counterclaim before grief.
Celtic needed a player to consolidate the back row of Brendan Rodgers. defensive crisis during qualifying in the Champions League – a situation that seems to be repeated this season.
A year ago, Celtic were preparing for a showdown with Astana in the playoffs. Rodgers had a shortage of defense options and was considering playing against Nir Bitton at the back, something he had to do for the Premiership match against St Johnstone. Mikael Lustig was the Israeli partner in central defense
But there was a potential solution – one that could be found thousands of miles away in South Africa.
He was called Rivaldo Coetzee and was a much appreciated player in his homeland. Indeed, Coetzee had won more than 20 caps for the Bafana-Bafana and by the age of 20, he was incorporating the Rodgers indentikit.
Things were going well. Coetzee was desperate to come to Scotland and his club, Ajax Cape Town, was eager to do business.
Fees were agreed between the parties – around £ 800,000 – and the player also said yes to what it was being offered by Celtic
Coetzee even talked about his fun during the summer break. a transfer to the Scottish champions: "It's something that I've always worked for since I joined Ajax, and now it's happened." I think it's the right time and the right club. "
Up here, everything is fine, but a problem appeared.Coetzee failed his medical exams, admitting that he had a problem with underlying foot which was centered on bone fusion.
Cape Town did not refute having failed his medical examinations – but he insisted that his problem had never existed. Newspaper published last August: "After a routine medical examination by the Celtic Medical Department, they discovered an underlying problem with his right foot. The clubs were therefore unable to conclude the transaction based on the available medical information. The player will return to Ajax Cape Town for further evaluation.
"The injury did not prevent Coetzee from having missed somewhere either for his club or for the national team, but Ajax Cape Town may confirm aware of any condition that would potentially hindered a transfer to Celtic
"Although disappointed that the case can not be completed at this stage, the club fully committed to give the player the care and the Coetzee's world had collapsed and the defender reportedly said: "I imagined playing in the Champions League and even told manager Brendan Rodgers to join them.
"It made me feel that he wanted me – the way he spoke to me, he clearly told me that I was in his plans." [19659002] "We talked on the phone while I was doing my medical exam.He said that I was his kind of player, a player who can play at the back and who is at it. ise on the balloon and I can also defend myself
"But unfortunately, the case fell to the water.
"I felt like I wanted to sink in"
Oddly enough, Coetzee signed a long contract this summer and joined Mamelodi Sundowns, Ajax's South African Premier League rivals.
A five-year deal was signed, but no football was played.Coetzee did not go not angry for 12 months, with real concerns from the medical staff that he will never play again.
But there is more than a little hope on the horizon for the young man of 21. He returned to training and should finally make his debut with Mamelodi.
His agent Mike Makaab told Sowetan: "He has been in a special program for months and we are very optimistic that he will be back this season. "
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