The Master of Kgalakgadi and Desert Nxau

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Staff Writer | Friday March 8, 2013 00:00

 

This is the kind of history that should make Master Coetzer a proud man. That he was the only player selected from a Second Division team clearly demonstrated the class in the former midfield dynamo. His exploits on the field earned him the respect and love of locals. He is regarded as a local hero in Tsabong, an inspiration to many youngsters yet he remains modest and level headed.

For someone who will soon turn 42 years, Coetzer looks a lot younger and reckons he could still return to competitive soccer. 'Even during our social games, people often ask me why I decided to hang up my boots because I still have the energy and the skill. I am not worried about stamina because I have a small body frame.It is a matter of days before I could regain full fitness,' he told Mmegi Sport in Tsabong recently.

Coetzee joined the Tsabong-based outfit in 1988 as a teenager and soon established himself as a star player.His teammates included his elder brother Alph Coetzer, Jansen Cousins, Thomas 'Talk' Kaartze, Tibi Kaykay and Lentikile 'Nyathi' Tsietso among others. 'That team was teeming with talent. I remember what a skilful right-back Nyathi was. There was also Gee Gee Moepeng, we had a very interesting team,' he recalled.

By 1991 the team had qualified for the promotional play-offs, which Jwaneng hosted. Amongg others, Nxau competed with FC Satmos for a place in the national First Division (before it was split into South and North). The late Sam Sono's side then had lethal strikers like Aaron Mumba and in the last game, Coetzer recalled, Nxau had to beat The Cheetahs which they did with a 1-0 win to clinch promotion, GeeGee Moepeng scoring the all-important winner. 'I remember how that game got me thinking because I doubled as player-coach at the time. As the other players went to watch other games I remained behind where we were camping and in the afternoon I felt confident that I had planned well for the opponents. Tsietso was my trump card. I gave him strict instructions to man-mark Mumba and to stick to the basics and he did just that neutralizing Satmos' attack,' he recounted.

Although he did not score in the last game, Coetzer had done enough to earn the player of the tournament award and thus a call up to Freddie Mwila's Zebras' team. In 1992 Coetzer had his midfield mastery tested when he was selected for the starting 11 in a friendly against Ghana away in Accra. He believes he did enough to justify his selection hence he was given two more chances though both in friendly games. Coetzer was a versatile player, with clever movements off the ball, which often landed him in good scoring opportunities. 'My other strength was good distribution of the ball. When I was selected for the national team then one thing at the back of my mind was to represent Kgalagadi very well, which I believe I did. But competition for places was stiff because I competed against the likes of Itumeleng Duiker and Jones Mfakosi for a midfield berth and those were exceptional players,' he said.

Among others, Coetzer's national teammates included Daniel 'Chico' Nare, Thabo Motang and Jomo Mosweu.Coetzer might have possessed good soccer skills but clearly he lacked mental strength. This was demonstrated by his decision to return home at the time when more opportunities to shine on a bigger stage were beckoning. Following his selection to the national team the light-skinned player attracted attention from big guns Township Rollers, Extension Gunners and BMC. However, he settled for a move to the less fashionable BMC after homeboy and former BMC star Jack Gotlop recruited him to Clever Hunda's side. He only lasted a few months before returning to Kgalagadi. 'I was homesick. Things were going fine for me at BMC and offers were coming from other big teams but I could not stay longer away from home,' he said.   Back at Nxau, Coetzer harboured ambitions of helping his modest team gain promotion to the elite Super League. However, that dream went up in smoke a few years later when financial troubles and lack of discipline among the players besieged the club. At some stage it was reported that Nxau had asked to be excused from the league before the end of the season, citing transport costs and other logistical problems. The team finally bowed out in 2006 and have since only gone as far as the play-offs. With football currently in a shambles in the Kgalagadi South region, there is little hope that Nxau could return to the First Division any time soon.

Many people around Tsabong have accused Coetzer of neglecting the team he helped build over two decades ago, but the former midfield maestro maintains his busy schedule was a hindrance. Currently working as a driver at the Tsabong Education Centre, Coetzer gets little time for football. 'But I shall return and revive the spirit one of these days. I have a busy schedule because apart from working as a driver I am also a farmer. But football is my passion and who knows maybe one day I could return to the field which I believe I can if I get time,' he said.