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Pienaar says no more International Football

Michael Kenrick , 2 October, 29comments  |  Jump to most recent
No Africa Nations Cup absence for RSA star
Steven Pienaar has announced his decision to retire from international football, citing the rigours of playing for club and country.

Pienaar sent messages to South Africa's coach, Gordon Igesund, and the SAFA informing them of his decision, one that means he will not be taking part in the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

“It is with regret that I wish to inform you that I'm not available for the national team,” Pienaar wrote.

He later took to Twitter to confirm his decision:

It wasn't an easy decision folks I love my country and I'm a proud South African. Wana (sic) wish Gordon Igesund and the team all the best

The 30 year-old calls time on a 10-year international career and Igesund says that 'Bafana Bafana' must “respect” his decision to call it quits.

Greece-based defender Bongani Khumalo will now take over as captain.

Quotes or other material sourced from KickOff

Reader Comments (29)

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Kris Boner
1 Posted 02/10/2012 at 13:12:43
Heard some good news today guys, apparently Pienaar has retired from international football... No AFCON for him in January
Jamie Barlow
2 Posted 02/10/2012 at 13:22:44
I hope it is good news Kris.

What are his reasons for retiring?

Has he had his court case yet?

Andrew Ellams
3 Posted 02/10/2012 at 13:32:44
I reckon Moyes has had a whisper in his ear about priorities. There will be more and more African players packing in international football early if they don't move this tournament to the summer.
Dan McKie
4 Posted 02/10/2012 at 14:26:02
Brilliant news on Pienaar. I've no qualms with players going off to play for their country, but I'm glad he has made this decision. He's a fantastic player and we would miss him no matter how well anyone else is doing.
Mike Green
5 Posted 02/10/2012 at 14:48:31
Great news indeed!

I was only thinking last night how we'd get on once he went of to the AFCON, from our perspective that's got to be a right result.

Happy days!

Kevin Thompson
6 Posted 02/10/2012 at 16:14:41
I hope this is true,so that we don't have him missing for the African cup of Nations in January and Feburary.

http://www.kickoff.com/news/30608/everton-midfielder-steven-pienaar-has-officially-retired-from-international-football-

Stefan Tosev
7 Posted 02/10/2012 at 16:15:11
Good news!
Colin Potter
8 Posted 02/10/2012 at 16:16:56
Great Stuff !!!!!!
Ian Burns
9 Posted 02/10/2012 at 16:27:11
Bad news for South Africa - great news for all Evertonians - respectfully!
Mike Powell
10 Posted 02/10/2012 at 16:44:39
Yes! Get in there!!!

Great news... fantastic... superb... brill!! I love it!!!

I am over the moon over this.

Go on, Steven lad... EVERTON EVERTON.
Pete Anthony
11 Posted 02/10/2012 at 16:43:21
This should prolong his top-level career. He is a key player for us and his not playing in AFCON can enable us to finish top 3 in the Premier League to guarantee group stages of CL 2013-14.

Bernabeau and Nou Camp here we come!

My glass is half full, but we have more chance than Spurs, RS, Skunks etc..

COYB and hats off Stevie Pienaar!
Brent Stephens
12 Posted 02/10/2012 at 17:25:17
I hope there's nothing more to the story than this, no other reason than he really does think he's given enough to SA football. Great news.
Peter Jones
13 Posted 02/10/2012 at 18:04:00
It just keeps getting better with this team :)
Bjørn-Ivar Pedersen
14 Posted 02/10/2012 at 22:35:53

Andrew Ellams #462

They are playing it in the summer, remember southern hemisphere...and so on :O)

But anyway, it is in fact some great news this.

Keith Glazzard
15 Posted 02/10/2012 at 22:37:14
Without looking it up, I know he's not a young player any more. Travel and the disruption of going to a different coaching set-up must take their toll - Timmy probably did too much of it. It's not unusual for a player to pull out of this extra commitment at this stage in his career.

Definitely good news for us. I wonder if Spurs might be a bit pissed off?

Keith Glazzard
16 Posted 02/10/2012 at 22:44:37
Bjorn - I think you'll find that a major part of Africa is in the north, but as so much of it is in the tropics that hardly makes any difference.
Si Cooper
17 Posted 02/10/2012 at 23:25:36
Perhaps it is a message in itself, if he feels he has been unfairly treated by the South African criminal / justice system?
Kev Johnson
18 Posted 02/10/2012 at 23:42:09
As a South African, may I express my bitter disappointment at Pienaar's decision.

Obviously, I'm not really South African, I was just playing devil's advocate.

Adam Fenlon
19 Posted 03/10/2012 at 02:08:02
As much as its good news for Everton – hopefully he was respectful enough to give the RSA coach a call as well, rather than just sending a message like a teenage girl….
Machiel Barnard
20 Posted 03/10/2012 at 05:23:33
Hi Kevin (514) I am a South African, and this is the BEST news I have heard since the transfer window closed. Everton is far more important for me than a National team that has no intention of winning anything.
Jeff Beaumont
21 Posted 03/10/2012 at 11:03:58
Hope it does not adversely affect the pending Court case.
Dick Fearon
22 Posted 03/10/2012 at 12:13:02
Keith G @ 503, I am a keen Socceroos fan yet I share your view about Timmy's international career.
Had he quit at 30 as did Peanuts he would not have exacerbated the leg injury he carried into the Saudi game. It was that injury that saw him miss a few months for Everton and then result in more goal less months.
Derek Thomas
23 Posted 03/10/2012 at 13:03:00
Great news, the AFCON tail is wagging the FIFA dog, every 2yrs my arse. Fall into line with the Euro's, WC, Olympics - 4yrs.

If the World cup was given to say Camaroon, they and all the African nations who qualified would not bleat about it being in the European close season or that it was too hot or wet. But FIFA can't even get the offside rule right so sorting out the potentially sensitive AFCON situation is well beyond them.

Nick Entwistle
24 Posted 03/10/2012 at 13:20:28
The good Christian white man being inconvenienced by the dark continent. Give a flag to the redcoats and tell them to put it in the ground, all in time for afternoon tea of course. Dam fuzzy wuzzies!
John Pickles
25 Posted 04/10/2012 at 01:10:55
The next Club announcement.... “It is with regret that I advise you that, with immediate effect, I’m no longer available for Chairman of Everton. After having given more than 10 years service to the the club I’m now at a stage where I’m struggling to balance the demands of playing in the West End with the number of £ required by the team. I’m proud to have Chaired my team, for this I sincerely thank you and wish the team all the best in the future.” ...... Oh well I can dream!
Shaun Muir
26 Posted 04/10/2012 at 03:29:53
I, like Machiel (533) am a South African, but have loyally supported Everton since I was 6 (I'm 35 now), and for me this is exceptional news. We've had a fantastic start to the season and anything we gain to guard against derailing progress this season is a plus. As much as I'm a proud saffer, and his absence will surely be felt by the national team I believe this is the right decision and he has given many years of service to South African football.
Derek Thomas
27 Posted 04/10/2012 at 10:16:57
I'll see your good(?) Christian(?) white man and raise you PC twaddle.

*Cuts to Michael Caine in Zulu* ' 1st rank...Fire ( Kneel & reload ) 2nd rank...Advance...Fire ( kneel & reload ). 3rd rank...advance...Fire etc etc

Fade in Men of Harlech...and...Cut.

Thats a wrap folks

Fade in Der Der Der dats all folks

Ricardo Humphries
28 Posted 04/10/2012 at 12:59:44
I'm South African, sad, but I understand the need for him to retire. AFCON 2013 is SA would be a waste of time for Pienaar. I'm sure he'll come out of retirement next year to help his country get to the WC in 2014

As an Everton support, I'm over the moon......Pienaar available during a crucial period...............go Toffees!!!!!

I really have a good feeling about the team this time around.

Nimalen Naidoo
29 Posted 05/10/2012 at 09:49:32
As a South African (and Everton supporter), I have mixed feelings about this. I thought he could have been the driving force in the SA midfield for the Afcon cup in January 2013.

However, he has given almost a decade of service to the national team and has been committed to the cause.

Schillo, thanks for your service but may you go to even dizzier heights for the Toffees!

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