CAPE TOWN - Rivaldo Coetzee’s imminent departure to Scottish giants Glasgow Celtic, pending a medical and work permit, has inspired a proud Ajax Cape Town chief executive, Ari Efstathiou, who will continue to look to the youth as the future of the Western Cape football club.
Coetzee arrived at Ajax Cape Town as a youngster aged 15, from Kakamas - a small town in the Northern Cape, with an estimated population of 10,000 people.
“The Hoops” home ground – Celtic Park in Glasgow – accommodates 60,832 passionate fans on a weekly basis.
Following in the footsteps of Steven Pienaar, Daylon Claasen, Thulani Serero and Eyong Enoh, Coetzee is not the first or the last, to make the switch from SA to the European football stage.
In a recent interview, CEO Efstathiou elaborated on the vision of the soccer club, while also sharing special insight into how the Urban Warriors continue to break barriers when it comes to youth development in the country.
Regarding the successful Youth Academy, Efstathiou said: “Ajax Cape Town has undoubtedly proved once again that we always prioritise the future of our young talent.
Rivaldo Coetzee of Ajax Cape Town with the Player of the Year Award and the Players Player of the Year Award during the Ajax Cape Town 2016/17 Awards at Lagoon Beach Hotel, Cape Town. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
“After graduating from our academy, we try to find the best way to enrich the player’s future by placing him where we believe he will prosper most.
“We are happy that more players will be following Rivaldo to Europe in the near future. We are glad that Ajax Cape Town’s vision and commitment to youth has once again proved its worth.”
On Rivaldo’s potential to be signed by a big club overseas, he said: “I think it is important to note that when we scout our youth, we do so with a plan in mind.