Steven
'Schillo' Pienaar sent a message to Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund and Safa
CEO Robin Petersen late on Monday stating his intentions to quit the national
team. The message read “It is with regret that I wish to inform you that I’m
not available for the national team’’. It was a straight forward message.
My verdict about his
retirement from international football
Let
me be unequivocal without any equivocation to pass the judgment to Steve
Pienaar. Firstly, I compare Pienaar with Barcelona midfielders Cesc Fabregas
due to their similar style of play and physique. Pienaar is an agile player who
can change direction more quickly, helping him to evade tackles. His strong
legs allow him to excel in short bursts of acceleration and his quick feet
allow him to keep control of the ball when dribbling at speed.
“’Schillo”
as he is famously known, has served the nation for 10 years without any
tangible impacts to the national team. Don’t get me wrong but Pienaar was
always mediocre in many Bafana games. He lacked commitment, dedication and
leadership qualities to revitalised Bafana Performance.
Steve
is one of the most talented and tricky player with array of breath-taking and
mouth-watering skills in the English Premiership League. He is the master of
defence splitting passes that unlock any defence easily but he failed to
translate his team form into Bafana team.
He
was a shadow of former self in the Bafana colours. He lacked fighting spirit to
turn the table around for Bafana. As Bafana currently best export player, we
anticipated a lot from him but unfortunately Steve failed to deliver the
positive results, Football is a game of 11 players but special players can turn
the table around. At team level,
Pienaar
will remain my favourite and special player but he leaves a lot to be desired
in the Bafana colours.
Great
players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are passionate to play for
the national teams despite winning anything. It’s called passion and respect to
the national team jerseys. I wonder what were the reasons for Pienaar to quit
Bafana.
Wishing
him all the best with Everton.
Are
you going to miss Steve Pienaar in the Bafana Bafana Colour?
By Owen Mundalamo
Football Food for
Thought
