Q & A with Steven Pienaar

Soccer writer Rodney Reiners caught up with Everton’s Steven Pienaar, the seasoned midfielder who made his name playing for Ajax Cape Town.

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The official fan park of the English Premier League is live in the Mother City on Saturday and Sunday. The gathering is scheduled for Camps Bay High School, where local football fans can meet with former players, view the Premier League trophy, while the weekend’s games will also be broadcast live on television at the event.

Quinton Fortune and Lucas Radebe will be there, and so, too, will Robbie Fowler and Peter Schmeichel.

To showcase the occasion, we had a chat to Everton’s Steven Pienaar, the seasoned midfielder who made his name playing for Ajax Cape Town in the Mother City.

Pienaar, who has just recently returned from injury, spoke of the frustration footballers endure during periods of injury, and the joy at now being back and playing again.

The 33-year-old, originally from Westbury in Johannesburg, also confirmed that his intention is to finish his career in the PSL.

Injury has curtailed your recent appearances. How frustrating has that period been and how ready and fit are you now?

It was frustrating, but I’ve worked hard and it’s been great to be back involved recently. To get some minutes under my belt was important and I’m steadily getting stronger. That’s the goal – to keep getting stronger.

It’s been a nightmare, but I kept going and that was important to me – not to lose hope. The last year has also been a learning experience for me, but I feel good now. To be back on the pitch made me feel like a seven-year-old. To go out again with a smile on my face was so important to me.

At one stage, I thought I had better just hang my boots up and call it a day. But, on the other side, I was just thinking that I enjoy going in and seeing the guys, so I just had to stay strong and that kept me going.

Tell us a bit about your spell at Everton and the important role the club has played in your career?

The Premier League is followed by so many people, so moving to Everton gave me the opportunity to be recognised all over the world. And to get an opportunity to play for such a famous club gave me a great chance to develop. I have spent eight years at Everton and will always follow them and the team’s progress. It is like Ajax, I have a real connection with Everton. It is never easy to go back but when I came back to Everton after my spell at Tottenham, the supporters were so friendly and supportive, so it made it very emotional for me thinking I may have to go again. Thankfully, I signed back permanently and I was so pleased to come back.

Is there a chance that we will see you playing back home again in the PSL?

I have always said I would love to play in the South African league before I retire, but the future is not in my hands. So I take it day by day and if I do get an opportunity, I will take it with both hands. I still keep a close eye on what’s happening in South African football.

Cavin Johnson, your mentor, is now the successful coach of Platinum Stars. Tell us a bit about the influence he’s had on your life and career?

When I was at Westbury Arsenal, coach Cavin came over and told one of the coaches there was going to be a trial for boys from Johannesburg to go to join the School of Excellence. They asked me if I wanted to go, and obviously I did. I went with two of my friends from the neighbourhood where I grew up and when we got there, there were about 70 kids from all over Johnannesburg. We left the house at 7am in the morning and drove for more than two hours to play just 15 minutes.

Thankfully, I must have done enough in that 15 minutes to catch the eye of the selectors and that’s how I ended up joining the School of Excellence.

When I got there, coach Cavin was my first coach and he’s also from Westbury, so it was easier for me to communicate with him than anyone else. He turned into a father figure for me at that school.

To join the school, I think that saved me from going in the wrong direction in my life. It was a boarding school, we lived there and we played football Monday to Sunday. That was everything. When I first joined the school, there were only four or five boys who could speak Afrikaans, so I had to adjust to that and I found it really difficult. I got really homesick in the first couple of weeks and wanted to go home, but coach Cavin called me into his office and said ‘stay strong, everyone goes through this period, you just need to keep on going and just enjoy your football’. After that I would go and speak with him every day, and I started to enjoy it and we became close.

Since the days of players like yourself, Benni, McCarthy, Quinton Fortune and Lucas Radebe, South Africa hasn’t seen too many players sign for clubs in England. Why is that?

I would say that most of the South African players are settled playing at home. That is a problem; a lot get comfortable and don’t want to face new challenges. That is only my point of view, of course.

They get homesick quickly, so they need a real discipline if they move to Europe and have that desire to succeed and make it.

What advice would give to young players in South Africa on how to go about making a success of a football career?

I would say follow your heart, work hard, stay disciplined and give it everything you have.

Who would you say is a South African player for the future?

I think Keagan Dolly has real potential. He is from my neighbourhood and I follow his progress closely. If he continues to play well, then he has a real chance. There are one or two others.

What is the best goal you’ve scored?

Most people won’t have seen it, but I scored one for Ajax Cape Town against Orlando Pirates. I dribbled the ball from my own 18-yard box to score; it was a very special goal. Obviously, my goal against Arsenal for Everton, the chip, was one of my favourites too.

What is the best goal you’ve seen scored?

A goal that one of my old roommates, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, scored for Ajax. I was on the field and it was like a pack of dominoes just falling down as he went through the opposition defence. It was amazing!

What is the best game you’ve been involved in?

South Africa against Mexico in the opening of the 2010 World Cup. It was just so special to play at a World Cup in front of my family and all the beautiful people of South Africa.

Who is your favourite footballer in the world?

I would go for Andres Iniesta; he is a midfielder and very intelligent player with a great football brain.

What do you hate most about football?

Losing.

What are your thoughts on Everton’s supporters?

The fans in general are amazing. They are so passionate about the club and always supported us, through good and bad times. One of the best sets of supporters I have ever seen.

What is your best moment as an Everton player?

I would have to say every time I pull an Everton shirt on. It is just so special.

Do you think that Everton can qualify for the Champions League?

I do believe this team can qualify for the Champions League. We have a good young team that can hopefully get there within two or three years and break into the top four.

Tell us about your partnership with Leighton Baines

I have a good understanding with Leighton. I think it is chemistry, we are quite close off the field, too, and he is quite an entertaining guy, too. One of my favourite memories on the pitch was when I back-heeled the ball into his path and he scored against Newcastle. It was a great goal.

Tell us about Everton’s young players coming through?

We have some good players making the grade, getting into the first team. Stones, Barkley, Deulofeu, Galloway, all of who have great futures ahead of them.

Who was your inspiration growing up?

My mum. As a single mother raising three kids, it took a lot of determination and discipline on her part and she always stuck to her task.

What superpower would you like to have?

The power to make it sunny and warm every day!

What’s your favourite vegetable?

Broccoli.

What’s your favourite snack or junk food?

Chocolate!

Other hobbies?

I love music and many kinds of genres; South African house, gospel, hip hop. I’d maybe like to be a producer one day!

Favourite sportsperson from another sport?

Serena Williams. I have read her book and she is an inspiration.

Favourite car?

As a kid I loved James Bond, so it’s Aston Martin.

If you could be any animal, what would it be?

A panther, because it is an animal I like and admire.

Your favourite other ground?

Villa Park. It always seems to have one of the best pitches and I’ve scored there a couple of times!

Best goalkeeper you have ever played against?

Edwin van der Sar.

Messi or Ronaldo?

It’s a difficult one. For me personally, I will go with Messi as I support Barcelona too. They are both top players.

For further information on the fan parks visit www.bplive.com - Cape Times