Kaizer Chiefs manager Bobby Motaung says it is highly unlikely that the glamour club will sign former Everton star Steven Pienaar.
Pienaar’s second spell at English Premier League side Everton came to an end last month and he has been linked with several clubs in SA and in the cash-rich Chinese Super League.
The 34-year-old dribbling wizard told Times Media Digital that he still has two seasons left in him but is yet to decide where he is headed next.
He added that the idea of playing in the Soweto derby for either Chiefs or their rivals Orlando Pirates remains one of his unfulfilled ambitions and he hopes to change that before calling time on his career.
But Motaung said on Wednesday it is highly unlikely that the midfielder will turn out in the Amakhosi gold and black shirt in the coming domestic season.
"When you sign a player like Steven it is mostly with an eye on mentorship and on the expectation that his experience will rub off on the other players in your team‚" Motaung said.
"We already have senior players like Shabba (Siphiwe Tshabalala) and Itu (Itumeleng Khune) here doing exactly that. What would be the point of going out of our way to bring in Steven to do the same thing?
"I think we are okay in the mentorship department."
Should Motaung keep his word and not pursue Pienaar‚ this will leave Pirates‚ Mamelodi Sundowns and Ajax Cape Town in the race for his signature.
Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has not hidden his desire to sign Pienaar and he said a few weeks ago he would be happy to offer the midfielder a home.
“We love Pienaar. I don’t know what ‘Schillaci’ has. He’s got options this side‚” Mosimane said at the time.
“For him it’s not about the money‚ I don’t think. I think he must have fun in South Africa.
“But he’s a good boy. He was my captain in Bafana. We’ve shared good moments.
Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza also confirmed his own interest in the well-travelled star - who has also played for Tottenham Hotspur‚ Borussia Dortmund and Ajax Amsterdam - last month.
Motaung said Chiefs could still make further additions to the new players they have signed during the transfer window.
"Obviously in football you never stop looking for the best players in the transfer market but unfortunately it will depend on some of the clubs if they are prepared to release their players to us. But so far we are comfortable with what we have here."
Former Mamelodi Sundowns captain Ramahlwe Mphahlele‚ Zimbabweans Edmore Chirambadare and Michelle Katsvairo‚ midfielders Enocent Mkhabela and Sibusiso Khumalo‚ Zambian striker Lewis Macha‚ Keagan Buchanan from Bloemfontein Celtic and young striker Emmanuel Letlotlo are just some of the players who are now employed at Naturena.
Chiefs remains in pursuit of Joseph Molangoane but it seems they will have to first get past Chippa United chairman Siviwe Mpengesi‚ who reportedly said he still has a two-year option on the player's contract.
Motaung pours cold water on Chiefs move for Pienaar
Kaizer Chiefs manager Bobby Motaung says it is highly unlikely that the glamour club will sign former Everton star Steven Pienaar.
Pienaar’s second spell at English Premier League side Everton came to an end last month and he has been linked with several clubs in SA and in the cash-rich Chinese Super League.
The 34-year-old dribbling wizard told Times Media Digital that he still has two seasons left in him but is yet to decide where he is headed next.
He added that the idea of playing in the Soweto derby for either Chiefs or their rivals Orlando Pirates remains one of his unfulfilled ambitions and he hopes to change that before calling time on his career.
But Motaung said on Wednesday it is highly unlikely that the midfielder will turn out in the Amakhosi gold and black shirt in the coming domestic season.
"When you sign a player like Steven it is mostly with an eye on mentorship and on the expectation that his experience will rub off on the other players in your team‚" Motaung said.
"We already have senior players like Shabba (Siphiwe Tshabalala) and Itu (Itumeleng Khune) here doing exactly that. What would be the point of going out of our way to bring in Steven to do the same thing?
"I think we are okay in the mentorship department."
Should Motaung keep his word and not pursue Pienaar‚ this will leave Pirates‚ Mamelodi Sundowns and Ajax Cape Town in the race for his signature.
Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has not hidden his desire to sign Pienaar and he said a few weeks ago he would be happy to offer the midfielder a home.
“We love Pienaar. I don’t know what ‘Schillaci’ has. He’s got options this side‚” Mosimane said at the time.
“For him it’s not about the money‚ I don’t think. I think he must have fun in South Africa.
“But he’s a good boy. He was my captain in Bafana. We’ve shared good moments.
Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza also confirmed his own interest in the well-travelled star - who has also played for Tottenham Hotspur‚ Borussia Dortmund and Ajax Amsterdam - last month.
Motaung said Chiefs could still make further additions to the new players they have signed during the transfer window.
"Obviously in football you never stop looking for the best players in the transfer market but unfortunately it will depend on some of the clubs if they are prepared to release their players to us. But so far we are comfortable with what we have here."
Former Mamelodi Sundowns captain Ramahlwe Mphahlele‚ Zimbabweans Edmore Chirambadare and Michelle Katsvairo‚ midfielders Enocent Mkhabela and Sibusiso Khumalo‚ Zambian striker Lewis Macha‚ Keagan Buchanan from Bloemfontein Celtic and young striker Emmanuel Letlotlo are just some of the players who are now employed at Naturena.
Chiefs remains in pursuit of Joseph Molangoane but it seems they will have to first get past Chippa United chairman Siviwe Mpengesi‚ who reportedly said he still has a two-year option on the player's contract.
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