Rare Schillo goal could spark streak

For all his talents in midfield, Steven Pienaar ought to be scoring more goals and the strike against Kenya proved he can do it.

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As soon as he was substituted against Kenya on Wednesday night, Steven Pienaar pretty much rushed down the tunnel, picked up his bags and jumped on to a helicopter.

The Tottenham midfielder, along with several other overseas-based players, had a midnight flight to catch out of OR Tambo International Airport.

Yet, there was no doubting, for Bafana fans, and for “Schillo”, that the trip to Phokeng had been worth it.

A second successive game in possession of the captain’s armband saw a commanding performance from the 28-year-old midfielder, and a rare goal to boot.

If Pienaar had not rushed off before the final whistle blew, with all due respect to Andile Jali, there was only one true winner of the Man of the Match award.

Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane must now pray his one truly world-class player arrives fit and ready for next month’s crucial African Nations Cup qualifier at home to Egypt.

Mosimane will also hope that Pienaar’s well-taken strike against the Harambee Stars, the second in a 2-0 win, will now see him finally hit a scoring streak in his international career. Just three goals in 57 Bafana games is hardly a decent testament to his talent.

Before Wednesday’s low drive beat the dive of Zacharia Onyango, it had been almost six years since Pienaar last hit the back of the net for his country, in a World Cup 2006 qualifier at home to Uganda.

“He very rarely scores, especially for Bafana,” admitted Mosimane.

“I always speak to him and tell him to shoot more. He did, and he scored. He didn’t finish when he was one-on-one with the ’keeper, but he scored the more difficult one and I am happy.”

Pienaar captained Bafana because Mosimane chose to keep his regular skipper Aaron Mokoena on the bench for the Kenya game. It will be fascinating to see if Mosimane now chooses to do away with the experience of Mokoena against the Pharaohs next month, and if this move has spelt the beginning of the end of Mbazo’s international career.

Mosimane also left Mokoena out of his squad for a friendly against the US last November, claiming he was resting the player. “I gave an opportunity to Siyabonga Sangweni against the US and I think he did really well,” said Mosimane on Wednesday.

“Today he showed he was good again, especially in man-to-man marking. Bongani (Khumalo) has been out with injury and I had to give him a chance.

“We lost him again at half-time with an injury. Morgan (Gould) also played against the US. There has to be consistency in terms of the selection of players and we need to improve competition. I don’t want it to be a big issue that Aaron was on the bench,” he said.

“I don’t get it. Aaron is the captain, he has 107 caps for his country. I respect him and I am happy.

“I called up Aaron in 2007 after he didn’t go to the 2006 Nations Cup with the national team. I have supported him. I spoke to Aaron and Kagiso (Dikgacoi) and I told them they were not starting.”

Davide Somma was Bafana’s other goalscorer against Kenya, his first for his country in only his second appearance. But Mosimane also admitted the Leeds United man ought to have added to his tally.

“I’m happy Davide scored – he could have scored more, with more composure.”

Egypt will certainly be more primed to pounce on such wastefulness.

Source: http://www.iol.co.za/rare-schillo-goal-could-spark-streak-1.1024838

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