Sports - Steven Pienaar, South Africa Captain Quits Bafana Bafana
South Africa captain Steven Pienaar has retired from international football. The 30-year-old's decision was announced by coach Gordon...
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South Africa captain Steven Pienaar has retired from international football.
The 30-year-old's decision was announced by coach Gordon Igesund on Tuesday as he unveiled his Bafana Bafana squad to face Poland and Kenya in friendlies next week.
Speculation had been mounting that Pienaar would retire to concentrate on playing for Everton.
Igesund told reporters that he received a phone call from Pienaar on Monday night informing him of his decision.
"I'm proud to have played for and captained my country. For that I thank you," the Everton midfielder said via a statement.
He added: "After having given more than 10 years' service to the national team I am now at a stage where physically I am struggling to balance the demands of playing in England with the number of games required by South Africa.
"There is a lot of very good young talent coming through and perhaps it is time for them to be given an opportunity."
Igesund has named defender Bongani Khumalo as Bafana Bafana's new captain and admitted it is unlikely Pienaar will play for his country again.
South Africa's coach said: "I am disappointed that Steven has retired from the national team.
"But the way he has retired is the right way. I think it was a tough decision for him."
Igesund paid tribute to Pienaar, adding: "His presence and leadership is invaluable and could have helped us in our mission for 2013 AFCON and the World Cup qualification, but we must respect his decision."
Speculation had been mounting that Pienaar would retire to concentrate on playing for Everton.
Igesund told reporters that he received a phone call from Pienaar on Monday night informing him of his decision.
"I'm proud to have played for and captained my country. For that I thank you," the Everton midfielder said via a statement.
He added: "After having given more than 10 years' service to the national team I am now at a stage where physically I am struggling to balance the demands of playing in England with the number of games required by South Africa.
"There is a lot of very good young talent coming through and perhaps it is time for them to be given an opportunity."
Igesund has named defender Bongani Khumalo as Bafana Bafana's new captain and admitted it is unlikely Pienaar will play for his country again.
South Africa's coach said: "I am disappointed that Steven has retired from the national team.
"But the way he has retired is the right way. I think it was a tough decision for him."
Igesund paid tribute to Pienaar, adding: "His presence and leadership is invaluable and could have helped us in our mission for 2013 AFCON and the World Cup qualification, but we must respect his decision."
