Cape Town - The timing of the African Cup of Nations has long been a source of much discontent with English Premier League managers - and there’s good reason to believe that it also lurks behind Steven Pienaar’s decision to retire from international football.
Pienaar’s retirement from Bafana Bafana, around which there had been much speculation over the last few days, was on Tuesday confirmed by SA Football Association (Safa) chief executive Robin Petersen and head coach Gordon Igesund.
Pienaar’s letter to Safa read: “It is with regret that I advise you that, with immediate effect, I’m no longer available for selection to represent South Africa. After having given more than 10 years service to the national team I’m now at a stage where physically I’m struggling to balance the demands of playing in England with the number of games required by the national team. I’m proud to have represented and captained my country, for this I sincerely thank you and wish the team all the best in the future.”
Pienaar also phoned Igesund to personally advise the coach of his decision.
“I am disappointed that Steven (Pienaar) has retired from the national team,” said Igesund. “He’s given us 10 years of service and his body is tired. I think it was tough for him, but we must respect his decision.”
Pienaar’s announcement comes three months before the start of the Nations Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa from January 19 to February 10.
Managers in England, though, have been complaining for many years about losing their star African players during what is one of the busiest, and most important, spells of the Premiership’s fixture programme.
Often, the league title is won or lost during this break-neck period.
At the moment, Pienaar’s English club - Everton - is enjoying its best start to the league in many years. Currently, they are in second place on the log, just three points behind leaders Chelsea.
Everton have lofty ambitions this season and, on current form, a Champions League spot is not out of the question. Pienaar is an integral part of the squad - and his desire to be available for his club would have played a crucial role in his decision to retire. Last month, he withdrew from Bafana’s friendlies against Brazil and Mozambique, with his club saying he was injured. But, just a few days later, the 30-year-old was playing in a fixture for his English club.
Everton, too, would probably have had discussions with the player around his imminent absence because of the Nations Cup. In fact, in a tweet, Pienaar’s Everton teammate Leighton Baines admitted the midfielder’s retirement was good news for Everton.
Igesund on Tuesday announced a squad to play Poland in Warsaw on October 12, and Kenya in Nairobi on October 16. A new name is Slovakia-based Ricardo Nunes. Born in Joburg, the left-back has played for Portugal at Under-17 level, but has been convinced by Igesund to throw in his lot with Bafana.
With Pienaar retired, Igesund named central defender Bongani Khumalo as the new captain.
Cape Argus