Igesund coy on Pienaar

Johannesburg - Reading between the lines, Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund would love to see former national team skipper Steven Pienaar come out of retirement.

VIDEO: Igesund announces Bafana team

On Monday Igesund announced his squad to face Zambia in the Nelson Mandela Challenge, before jetting off to England to meet with several South Africans based in that country.

He will be sitting down with Andrew Surman, the Norwich midfielder, as well as Davide Somma, the Leeds United striker.

Also on the agenda is a 'coffee date' with Everton man Pienaar.

The Bafana coach claims it is not his agenda to try and talk Pienaar into returning to the national fold, but should the player show any signs of regretting his decision, Igesund is sure to try and work his magic.

"For me, Steven Pienaar, he was a great ambassador for our country.

"He is one of our own, and a great player. I think I owe it to him to go and have a chat with him.

"I think Steven had to make a very tough decision, but I haven't shut the door on him, so who knows where the conversation goes," he said.