da betsul： Everton winger Steven Pienaar has retired from international duty.
da bwin： The South African midfielder made 57 appearances for his nation over ten years, but has stated with regret that he will only focus on club football in the future.
“It is with regret that I wish to advise you that with immediate effect I’m no longer available for selection to represent South Africa,” he stated in a press conference, published in The Daily Mail.
“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,” he concluded.
South Africa coach Gordon Igesund admitted that Pienaar’s decision was a blow for the side.
“He’s given us 10 years of service and his body is tired. Yesterday was the first time I found out he wanted to retire,” the trainer confessed.
By Gareth McKnight