Mamelodi Sundowns’ Rivaldo Coetzee says he enjoys playing in the midfield under Pitso Mosimane and hopes he has a future in the role.

The former Ajax Cape Town man was converted from his centre-back position to help fill a void in the Sundowns midfield.

Coetzee, whose ability on the ball has always been praised by Mosimane, was asked to play alongside the likes of Hlompho Kekana, Tiyani Mabunda and Andile Jali.

This may have been a daunting prospect at first but Coetzee says he put the work in at training to help him adapt.

‘Yes, I would say that the position grew on me and training in that position every day before the lockdown has helped me to adapt to it,’ Coetzee told the Sundowns website.

‘I actually enjoy playing midfield, I hope I can continue there and maybe have a future in that position.

‘It was a bit tricky in the beginning, I wasn’t used to people pressing me from behind. I was used to seeing everything on the pitch and that made it easier for me to attack space.

‘But in midfield, you have to think quicker and always scan so you know what’s happening around you, and know what to do with the ball before you even receive it,’ he added.

‘There are a few players that I like in that position, especially from teams that play the same football we do at Mamelodi Sundowns, which is to dominate and play to always have the ball. Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan at Manchester City are just two examples.’