AmaTuks goalkeeper Tristyn Coetsee believes that Varsity Football goalkeepers have the potential to play for Premier Soccer League teams.
Coetsee is one of the few players from the PSL playing at the Varsity tournament and his presence in goal for UP-Tuks has boosted the confidence of the team.
His experience is helping the young players, who are dreaming of playing in the PSL to work even harder.
Coetsee is the second choice goalkeeper for AmaTuks behind Zimbabwean Washington Arubi. The 26-year-old played a couple of games in the Premiership last season.
The Varsity Football competition is important to the shot stopper as it helps him to get a few games under his belt.
When the chance to reclaim the first choice jersey for AmaTuks comes again, he will grab it with both hands knowing that he is fit and ready for the job.
Coetsee played a major role to help AmaTuks qualify to the top flight football in the National First Division three seasons ago. But now he is hoping to lead the dark horses of the competition to win the inaugural varsity title.
His leadership and organisational at the back has made Tuks one of the hardest teams to score against. He has kept three clean sheets in five games.
Coetsee said “It’s a great competition and great platform for players to showcase themselves. I try to give 100% whether i’m playing for the PSL or varsity team.”
His teammates regularly ask Coetsee to share his PSL experience with them and he is always happy to put them at ease.
“I just tell them for instance that where we’re staying is the hotel which PSL teams stay when they travel for away matches,” he revealed.
So what is the difference between the varsity and PSL preparations ahead of matches? Coetsee said there is not much difference and that players should know that footballers are the same.
“In terms of the build up there is not a major difference it can differ with the budget of the PSL and Varsity and types of accommodation vary sometimes. But meals are the same.”
But being a senior player and a goalkeeper raises expectations from supporters and neutrals at the competition. Coetsee had a nightmare in the opening game conceding four goals in an embarrassing 4-1 defeat to TUT on day one.
“I’d rather start off badly in a tournament and end with plenty of success. But I’m now playing a lot better. I try to inspire confidence and tell everyone not to panic and not get hyped up and think that we have won before the final whistle. But people expect so much of me and I try to do my best. Obviously they think that as a PSL goalkeeper I shouldn’t be conceding but that’s not how football works,” he said.
Coetsee singled out Free State goalkeeper Malefane Mokhachane as one of the outstanding performers in the goalkeeping department.
“He looks like a great goalkeeper and he is doing well and will even do better in the PSL with good coaching.”
And Coetsee had this to say to aspiring goalkeepers in the tournament.
“Just keep on working hard get regular game time you never know when your opportunity will come.”
By Charles Baloyi
