Rivaldo Coetzee could be forced to retire from football.
The defender was a medical away from signing for Celtic in August but after a injury was detected in his right foot he moved to Mamelodi Sundowns from Ajax Cape Town.
This season has been a write-off for Coetzee who hasn’t kicked a ball for his new club with no sign of when he will make his debut.
“Rivaldo is a sad story,” Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane told Sport 24.
“I have not seen him kicking a ball since he joined us. He is always in the medical room and this is worrying. You must speak to the doctors about his situation. How long will they hide it from the public?
“His situation saddens me. He is a youngster who just wants to play football. We thought we were buying a player who could play on the left of the defence. Ricardo (Nascimento) is 32 and we saw Rivaldo as a future prospect.
“We were never in doubt when we bought him, but unfortunately he has not been there for us. However, it has not been a disaster at all for us because we have players who can cover for him.”
Coetzee’s move to Celtic seemed to be a formality until an MRI scan uncovered issues with bone in his foot.
There had been talk of Celtic returning to the deal but that seems highly unlikely with the player not kicking a ball all season with Kris Ajer and Jack Hendry have emerged into Brendan Rodgers’ squad.
Coetzee made his debut for Ajax Cape Town at the age of 17 and became a full internationalist at the same age.
His future seemed assured but at the age of 21 and wit 23 full international caps to his name there are major doubts over whether he will be able to fulfill his potential.
