Steven Pienaar, the Everton midfielder in the English Premier League, has officially announced his retirement from international football, signaling the end of his tenure with Bafana Bafana. In a letter addressed to coach Gordon Igesund and the South African Football Federation (SAFA), Pienaar expressed his decision to step down from representing the national team. While the letter arrived on Monday, the news was officially conveyed to the press by team manager Robin Petersen on Tuesday.
The missive from the Toffees leader reads, “Dear ones, it is with regret that I come to announce my international retirement.” After a decade of dedicated service to the rainbow nation, Pienaar has chosen to focus exclusively on his club commitments and family.
Gordon Igesund, the head coach of Bafana Bafana, commented on Pienaar’s decision, saying, “He gave us 10 years of his life, and his body is tired. This is the first time I feel like he really wants to stop.” At the age of 30, Steven Jerome Pienaar played 63 matches for South Africa over the last ten years, scoring 3 goals.
As a result of his retirement, Pienaar will not participate in Bafana Bafana’s upcoming friendly matches against Poland and Kenya.
