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Johannesburg – Bafana Bafana could pay a heavy price at the World Cup for the success of midfield star Steven Pienaar.
The 28-year-old playmaker admitted on Monday that he was “fatigued” after a long season for his English Premier League side Everton.
Pienaar was named the club’s player of the year in May, but was disappointing in the South Africans’ dramatic drawn World Cup opener against Mexico at Soccer City on Friday.
He was replaced by Bernard Parker in the second half after apparently struggling with severe cramp.
“It was a long season at Everton and my legs are tired, but hopefully I can shake it off before our match against Uruguay,” said Pienaar.
“I know I was not at my best against Mexico and would like to be more involved on Wednesday.”
Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira admitted after Friday’s match that he was concerned about Pienaar’s workload.
“It’s understandable that he’s tired. He’s one of two players in the squad that played at least 45 minutes the past season.”
South Africa take on Uruguay, ranked 16th in the world, at Loftus Versfeld.
It’s a must-win game for both teams after the South Americans and France played to a goalless draw on Friday.
“We are now more relaxed than before the Mexico game and it won’t take us so long to find our feet again. We can’t afford to lose as we will then be forced to play catch-up football against France,” said Pienaar.
Johannesburg – Bafana Bafana could pay a heavy price at the World Cup for the success of midfield star Steven Pienaar.
The 28-year-old playmaker admitted on Monday that he was “fatigued” after a long season for his English Premier League side Everton.
Pienaar was named the club’s player of the year in May, but was disappointing in the South Africans’ dramatic drawn World Cup opener against Mexico at Soccer City on Friday.
He was replaced by Bernard Parker in the second half after apparently struggling with severe cramp.
“It was a long season at Everton and my legs are tired, but hopefully I can shake it off before our match against Uruguay,” said Pienaar.
“I know I was not at my best against Mexico and would like to be more involved on Wednesday.”
Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira admitted after Friday’s match that he was concerned about Pienaar’s workload.
“It’s understandable that he’s tired. He’s one of two players in the squad that played at least 45 minutes the past season.”
South Africa take on Uruguay, ranked 16th in the world, at Loftus Versfeld.
It’s a must-win game for both teams after the South Americans and France played to a goalless draw on Friday.
“We are now more relaxed than before the Mexico game and it won’t take us so long to find our feet again. We can’t afford to lose as we will then be forced to play catch-up football against France,” said Pienaar.
