The interview
He spent a few frustrating months on the sidelinesat English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspurbut now South African midfielder Steven Pienaar(29) is back in action – on loan to his previous club,Everton. PIETER-LOUIS MYBURGH spoke to theBafana Bafana captain about kicking balls abroadand Bafana’s goals
More about the man
How does it feel to be a regularfixture in the English PremierLeague again?I’m just happy to be playing football again. As a professional, youwant to play the game and enjoyit. I’m glad Everton and the coachgave me the opportunity.
How do you think the PremierLeague differs from South Africa’s Premier Soccer League(PSL)?The Premier League is one of thebest in the world. If you see theroster of the teams you’ll find theworld’s best football playersamong them and the game is probably the fastest in the world.
The PSL has definitely improved in the past few years andis becoming more professionalbut it will be a while before itreaches the top level.
What does your training schedule look like at Everton?It depends on the week ahead.When there’s a midweek gamethe training is different comparedto when there’s no match.
We are likely to get time off forrest and recuperation if we’re atthe stage of the season when we’veplayed many games in a shortspace of time.
If we have been knocked out ofthe FA Cup and the next round isplayed in February, for example,the club may decide to takeplayers away for a midwinterbreak to a country with a warmerclimate that’s not too far away.
Were you worried Everton fansresented you for leaving?Not worried but a little nervous.Some supporters were disappointed when I left the club but I leftin a good way and gave my bestuntil my last day of the contract.
When I stepped out of the
tunnel before our home game [thefirst since being back at Everton]I could hear the fans singing myname and I felt really good afterI scored the goal.
We know you were angry aboutnot getting playing time atTottenham Hotspur. Are youlooking forward to playing againstthem for the first time sincereturning to Everton?I guess I won’t be playing in thatgame because I’m on loan fromSpurs. But we’ll see. It could bean interesting one.
What is life like in England?Football all the time! Your job consumes all your time when you’rea professional player. I sometimesgo to Amsterdam for a break whenI have a free day or two.
What do you miss about livingin SA?I miss my family, especially mymom, Denise, and my daughter,Skyla. South Africa is far awayand I only get to see them in international breaks.
I also miss my friends, the greatweather and my mom’s cooking.I always enjoy the food when I amat home!
What must happen for BafanaBafana to become a force in worldsoccer?
We have to win games as that’swhat makes the team strongerand more confident.
What is your leadership style asBafana Bafana captain?I see myself as the leader on thefield and I always give 100%. Youhave to inspire the team with yourown performance because you canonly ask of your teammates whatyou are able to give yourself.
SA is hosting the Africa Cup ofNations (Afcon) tournament nextyear. Do you think we can win?It’s important for us to qualify forthe next World Cup and my dreamis to win the Afcon at home withBafana Bafana.
Does the pressure of playing atthe highest level ever take thefun out of football?Of course you feel the pressurebut we love the game. It’s a privilege for me to play it every day.
soccer
South Africa’smidfield maestro
What would you like to do whenyour time as a pro footballeris over?When I hang up my boots I wantto get away from football for awhile – maybe live in Brazil for ayear and clear my head.
After that I’ll probably get mycoaching licence and help theyouth in Joburg.
Sometimes I think about founding my own local team in Joburg.
We will see where God guidesme.
Before we go . . . Who are yourrole models?Madiba – the way he inspired meevery time I met him was amazing.His personality is one of a kind.
As a young boy I also looked upto the former Dutch national player Ronald de Boer. It was alwaysa pleasure to watch him play.
StevenPienaargainedrespect forhis combative, highenergy displays onthe footballpitch. Everton’s starstriker (onloan fromTottenhamHotspur) isalso captainof BafanaBafana.
STEVEN Jerome Pienaar (29) grew up in Westbury, Johannesburg.He had his first taste of professional soccer at PSL side Ajax Cape Town.
Pienaar began his lengthy European stint at Ajax Amsterdam in2001 and moved to English club Everton in 2008, where he becamea firm fan favourite and was named player of the year after the2009/2010 season. The attacking midfielder moved to London’sTottenham Hotspur last year but enjoyed very little playing time,resulting in a loan move back to Everton.
Pienaar hopes his captaincy will help Bafana Bafana take theAfcon 2013 trophy.
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