Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi was left upset by the manner in which Rivaldo Coetzee suffered his latest injury setback.
Coetzee, 28, emerged as one of the first names on the teamsheet with several impressive displays as a six and centre-back in the Sundowns starting line-up.
He was introduced for Bathusi Aubaas in the 84th minute of the game but went on to be stretchered off in a game where the Masandawana coach intended to rest him completely.
“I wouldn’t want to talk about the injuries as such but it was just unfortunate and the sad part is, I had said to him I don’t want to use him in this match [against Cape Town City], that is what sits hard on me,” he said.
“I really did not want to use him up until a point where Aubaas was fouled, I didn’t want to lose Aubaas, so maybe Riva must have some minutes as an activation towards the next match and unfortunately he got that freak injury, I just don’t understand at the moment.
“Maybe after the footage I can comment on it, but it was just unfortunate and I agree with him, he just does not have luck. This was the first season I have seen him play so many matches in a row without any injury and being able to sustain himself.
“He’s been training a lot in the club with Peter, which has helped a lot to be stronger, physically and to manage to play game after game, after game, Rivaldo is not someone like that, but again we have this setback, let’s hope it’s not something serious.”
Coetzee has racked up 133 game for Sundowns since joining the club from Ajax Cape Town (Cape Town Spurs) in August 2017, following a failed move to Glasgow Celtic due to injury.
