Crystal Palace midfielder Riyaaz Koopstadt (pictured) says he has settled in perfectly and feels very much at home at the ABC Motsepe League newcomer Crystal Palace.
The 25-year-old product of the now defunct Ajax Cape Town was snapped up by Palace after Antalyaspor Cape Town decided to sell their second division status to Seaside Spurs while Palace also acquired the second division status of Ikapa Sporting a couple of months ago.
Koopstadt explained to No Bones with Jones. “My new journey at Palace is different but my goals and ambitions are still the same. I love being a part of the club, the players and management makes me feel welcome.
“The goals are very strict, which I like and that’s to win the league. I think my move to Palace will help me achieve my goals and that is to play at the highest level. The fans and the club itself make it worth giving 100% all the time. My goal for this season is to be a champion of the league with Palace,” he added.
The Manenberg-based who is debuting in the Motsepe League this season, is having a solid start to their new campaign with three wins, two draws and one loss from of their six games thus far – five points off log leaders Zizwe United who along with Vasco da Gama are the only two unbeaten sides thus far.
Koopstadt, who has been instrumental in the Palace’s engine room with his experience and calmness, openly admits that he still harbours aspirations of playing in the PSL as he never had that privilege.
“The season I was registered with the PSL side they were relegated. It was a bitter pill to swallow, you know,” Koopstadt further explained. “Hopefully we can take the team to the next level, which is NFD. I would love the opportunity to showcase myself on that level and make everyone proud,” Koopstadt concluded.
