Pienaar to lead Bafana against Poland?
QUICKSILVER Steven Pienaar is in the Bafana Bafana squad to play Poland in the international fixture in Poland on Friday next week - and, what is more, he is designated to retain his role of captain.
BACK: Steven Pienaar will lead Bafana against Poland next week. This was the context of an emphatic statement yesterday from Bafana coach Gordon Igesund following a Sunday Times report that the diminutive Everton midfield kingpin was contemplating cutting ties with the national squad.
"I know nothing about this," said Igesund. "And until I hear something official I'm viewing Pienaar in the same light as I might any other candidate for the squad that will be announced tomorrow (Tuesday) to face Poland."
The Bafana coach said it was not his policy to make premature announcements regarding the selection of individual players, but he confirmed 31-year-old Pienaar's selection and status as captain "in order to clear the air".
Despite Igesund's forthright attitude regarding his approach towards players, there would seem reason to harbour a suspicion that the old maxim "there is no smoke without fire" might have an element of truth about it in this instance.
The Pienaar saga regarding his future with Bafana first came to light when he recently withdrew from the key, high-profile fixture against Brazil because of a proclaimed injury. Bafana's creditable 1-0 defeat against the five-times world champions was Igesund's first game in charge of Bafana, and it was clear he was disappointed at not having the services of a player of Pienaar's calibre in Sao Paulo.
And to add fuel to the fire, Pienaar's "injury" has not prevented him from missing any games for Everton in the Premier League and he was in harness again on Saturday when the Merseyside club climbed to second position in the log behind Chelsea after beating Southampton 3-1 in an impressive comeback success at Goodison Park. What is more, reports on the Everton website during the controversial period in question confirmed that "the club has no injury problems".
It has been suggested that the Pienaar-Bafana issue, in fact, revolves around the player's management, who are seeking special dispensation as to when he should and should not be called up for Bafana matches.
But in typical fashion, Igesund has confirmed he will not allow any player to have special privileges in this respect, proclaiming "what will the other players think if I deviate from this policy?"
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Shredder
We don't really need this guy. He doesn't perform as he performs for his team. You can see commitment in his face but he doesn't deliver. Maybe he will under the new coach.Report Abuse
WarrenG
Since when is he 'Quicksilver'??? WTF...Ok look here, if he wants to cut ties, fine. But then he's not to be considered for WC and African Cup of Nations.
Simple. Gordon 'Silver Fox' Igesund must lay down the law
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Dzel
I have not convinced about Pienaar’s commitment and contribution to the team of late. No doubt he is a good player but he is more suited to Pitso’s style of play than he is to Gordon’s attacking style where pace and skill is the key. I’d rather have a May Mahlangu or a Serero – albeit he is injured – playing alongside a Letsolonyane.We did well without Pienaar in Brazil, we will be fine without him in Afcon Cup. Better have players who are 100% committed than have big names on paper who don’t live up to expectations.
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Lehido
if he wants to go, let him voetsekReport Abuse
LeeuKo
Rob Moore intimated that the guy is tired, maybe he does not need to play anymore, he can take a hike man, the team and the game is bigger than any individualReport Abuse
spirro
let pienaar go maan he is a good player, @ team level, but for Bafana, is not working for himReport Abuse
oneJay
HES THE BEST PALYER IN SA AFTER SERERO AND KHUNE.....Report Abuse
Maqhankqa
@oneJayHES THE BEST PALYER IN SA AFTER SERERO AND KHUNE.....
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I beg to differ with you oneJay: Pienaar is overrated. He has done absolutely nothing for Bafana in almost all the matches he has played. Check your stats and see how many times has he been substituted. Even the matches he has played the full 90 minutes he has not excelled like a seasoned professional player playing in the PL. As for me I don't give a damn even if he is not in the team.
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TheMan2000
You can go we have seen this trick before, your brother Bennie pulled it before. Now I understand why players attached to big teams in Europe achieve more than their peers playing for smaller teams there. Players playing for bigger teams want to achieve for their teams and country and players for smaller teams only want to achieve for themselves because there is nothing to achieve in their respective teams.Report Abuse
Obzam
lets be honest here,players who trade in dont want to part take part in friendlys with so called small countries,Report Abuse
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