Dear Steven Pienaar
December 23, 2009 by The SportLite
Dear Steven,
Let me start by saying that I’ve been meaning to write to you – just that I thought it was a bit too soon to start sending good luck messages for the World Cup. It’s not a secret – I think you’re a good player (bordering on great even) and I’ve actually fought for you to get some recognition- in my own minuscule way of course.
I’ve stood up for you on websites, blogs and forums where it’s not acceptable to mention the colour BLUE (Everton blue) without * spitting * but I took the blows because I couldn’t blog by and watch another gifted African player being labeled as a diver with a bad hairstyle – all of that because of the colour of his jersey. I honestly don’t expect a Christmas card for that – I did it out of love and appreciation.
Enough with the chitchat, let’s go back to why I’m writing you this letter. In a recent interview with Soccer Laduma – you Sir, were asked about South Africa’s chances in the 2010 Fifa World Cup – you know the one that we are hosting in a few months – and you blatantly said that South Africa doesn’t stand a chance -but wait, there’s more – you then went on to say NO AFRICAN TEAM CAN WIN THE WORLD CUP. Why, Steven, why?
Soccer Laduma
First of all – before the “freedom of speech” watchdogs sharpen their canines and take up the crouching position– I understand that you’re entitled to an opinion but surely even YOU know that this is not the kind of headline we want our people to drive past just as we are desperately trying to get them behind Bafana Bafana and the World Cup in general. You really didn’t have to thrust a spear right through the hearts of millions of Africans who expected some words of encouragement from one of their warriors. Your response was a PR #fail, Steven
How old were you in 1990, Schillo? You were 8 years old – so surely you remember how a 10-man Cameroonian team managed to shock defending champions Argentina in the opening game of the World Cup held in Italy. The Indomitable Lions, powered by Roger Milla, topped that group and went all the way to the quarterfinals against England where they led 2-1 with a few minutes left on the clock – before they were robbed (there I said it). Who knows, Steven?
Yes, it took a while before Senegal repeated the heroics in Korea-Japan 2002, defeating defending champions France in the first game before they were knocked out by a painful golden goal in a quarterfinal match against Turkey. In the same tournament- an unfancied South Korean team went all the way to the semifinals, becoming the first Asian country to do so. Do you believe in homeground advantage? No?
Football legends like Pele, George Weah, and Abedi Pele Ayew believe that it’s possible for an African country to win the tournament and finally put Africa on the throne. “The idea that one of our sides could win the World Cup is not going too far”, former Nigerian skipper Sunday Oliseh told BBC Sport. “African players perform a lot on emotions and that will be a powerful force.” Perhaps these guys are old and senile.
This article on BBC Sport had pictures of Essien (GHA), Eto’o (CMR), Yakubu (NIG), Drogba (IVC) and Nadir Belhadj (ALG) as the faces of African football. Are you telling us that these players and other Africans starring in big leagues around the world do not have what it takes to win the World Cup? Unbelievable. Just in case you are wondering – they had YOU as the face of South African football Stevo, go figure.
Granted, all the African teams have been drawn into tough groups – but this is the World Cup – who expected an easy group? Just as it happens every four years – the victorious team will have to go through the tough teams to get to that golden trophy, we as Africans didn’t expect less of a challenge – neither did we expect one of our star players to preach messages of doom way before “Jabulani” takes a stroll at Soccer City.
Tell me something – did you by any chance predict that Ghana would be crowned as CHAMPIONS of the 2009 Under 20 Fifa World Cup?
Mmh, I didn’t think so. I was part of a small but mixed crowd that celebrated that victory in a small bar – Africans united in glory– oh what a great night it was! Just imagine, Steven, imagine.
Lela on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 12:17 am
Mfnxm,kanti unamachubaba nyhani! Let me reserve ma comment.
Kay... on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 2:08 am
So?according 2 uStevovo the african countries myt just as well not compete kulomqhudelwano?what a pessimist!
Kiki on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 6:48 am
I REPEAT: Steven was telling the truth the way HE sees it and there nothing wrong with that? A team is made up of 11 players not 1 and a team wins a game bcoz of team work..The Etoos,Drogbas,Essiens etc belong to different countries and 1 player alone cannot win the world cup no matter how good they are,they still need more than 7players to back them up.I agree with this steven dude,he knows what he is talking about..He signed with Everton bcoz they offered him money than what he could have got here..We all aim for greener pastures moes?So there is no way he could have settled fo Chiefs,Pirate’s coins or any other local team for that matter.Though some people spit when they hear the name Everton ,okusalayo its known worldwide,cant say the same bout these lil teams we have here.
Kiki on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 6:55 am
Nam ndihamba no Stevovo,ndithi mna NO AFRICAN COUNTRY CAN WIN THE WORLD CUP.They mite take the bronze (and i am not talkin bout Bafana) but icup yona yona,they can forget it..
Mabheka on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 8:26 am
Kiki somehow u have gone on off the wrong track, firstly Piennar signing 4 Everton had nothing to do with SA teams but rather came through after he was deamed a failure in Germany & thus was being offloaded by Dortmond & not becoz of money as you so put it. Yes it takes 11 men to win games & that is what Ivory Coast & Ghana have infact even more that. The other 3 excl Bafana have @ least 8 good players which could take them through to the last 8. Schillo is not the 1st player to down play his teams hopes but to downplay the entire continent is crazy.
Kiki on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 8:38 am
Everything is about MONEY,weather he failed in Germany or not okusalayo he didnt come back home to sign with the lil teams and its all bcoz of money.Like i said,one of the other African countries MIGHT taste the bronze but icup yona they can forget it…
Johnlegend on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 8:47 am
Yes Steven was expressing his own views/opinion, but he is a pessimists. You know what, nothing is impossible….who would have thought Kenya would make the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup in 2003 ( I know some of you would say cricket is different from soccer but in sport anything is possible).
We don’t need Steven’s pessimism, he doesn’t believe that we have capable players who can do well in the World Cup.
Kiki on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 8:56 am
Guys hayi kabi,but which AFRICAN country do u think can WIN the world cup? I am not talkin about making it to the top 8 or 4,i am talking bout WINNING the world cup?
Mabheka on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 9:37 am
Ivory Coast are going to win this
Phumla on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 9:50 am
I think that he’s just being realistic about the the issue
Makgotso on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 9:53 am
Watch the space Kiki en Stevovo,you are about to be suprised sobe asiwashayi kahle amavuvuzela,lol
Kiki on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 10:08 am
lol @ the vuvuzelas that the other African countries are against.Lets pray that we will all be alive to witness this..Stevovo n Kiki are gon be celebrating in 2010.
TheSportLite on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 10:38 am
All the teams have the power to surprise in knockout competitions but on paper Ivory Coast is the most lethal African squad (and by squad I don’t mean Drogba).
I’m not gonna list the full squad but any team that has players like Emmanuel Eboue, Kolo Toure, Yaya Toure, Arouna Kone, Bakari Kone, Didier Zokora, Keita, Salomon Kalou etc is a team that is capable of beating the best in the world – if they play to their full potential.
Deelesh Chick on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 11:24 am
…this articles is ON POINT…we are hosting the World Cup for Christ sake jus becoz one has an opinion that doesnt make its the TRUTH kanti what is TRUTH according to most dictionaries TRUTH is, facts, or reality; conformity with fact*reality; actual existence*agreement with a standard, rule, etc.; correctness; accuracy*that which is true; statement, etc. that accords with fact or reality
*an established or verified fact, principle, etc.
this guy is making a prediction based on HIS own assumptions and very limited experience, do we need that for our PR and do we ALL belive that…NO..so he coulda have kept that to himslef, because its NOT THE TRUTH…so what happenes when one African country suddenly wins the World Cup..will you then change and say well he was NOT telling the truth….well here’s another “TRUTH”…bruinos think they can shoot their mouths off and get all agro jus coz they CAN.this goes for Benny..and that Rugby captain fella.I say F*CK them and their negetive attitude..in fact they should ban all coloureds in sports.asmuch as they are talented but dang stupid sumtimes..THERE I SAID It..I’m being a racist so live with it…nx!
Mabheka on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 11:28 am
Deelesh Chick u dont live in CPT by any chance hey?
Deelesh Chick on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 11:46 am
Mabheka I live between CPT and DBN..but i think i wll be moving back to DBN next year for obvious reasons..LOL
Mabheka on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 11:55 am
I kinda figured by ur statement not that all of em are like that but generally they do/say things that live ppl shaking their heads….
ZionBoy777 on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 10:41 pm
Dude is plain STUPID, that’s all.
His team might not perform at that level cause they have no great players, the amazing kids at the PSL level are not given a chance to shine, those old big-headed dudes cant perform…
No wonder why his other team, you know the one with the “blue” shirt cant win a trophy up north…smh
He cant blame his shotcomings on other teams…
Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon & even Algeria have what it takes to win it, remember they fought their way to the World Cup what about SA? Oh yeah, they have to be dragged along cause it’s the cassa…smh
That dude is DUMB!
MissB on Thu, 24th Dec 2009 10:58 am
Personally I think dude should be banned from being part of the SA World Cup squad. Any player who’s not playing to win should not be part of the team.
And as for saying all Coloured people are stupid?That’s a tad bit childish don’t we think? I hope God blesses you with a Coloured child.
Brown Shuga on Thu, 24th Dec 2009 2:17 pm
Lol hawu MsB, just bless her with a coloured child kanjalo nje? Lol!!!
Steven Pienaar’s comment was disappointing shem. I just want him to retract so I can go back to where we were.
Dalisu on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 4:01 pm
I think that Steven Pienaar has made a huge blunder by uttering such words. As a senior player revered by many in this country I find such coming from Pienaar nothing short than appalling. I just wonder what your team mates who will be sweating blood for this country along with you are thinking about this statement …
Congratulations Steven | Just Curious on Wed, 17th Feb 2010 1:31 am
[...] Big ups to Stevovo & I now forgive him for this silly comment. [...]
Victoria on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 9:43 pm
I’m a very disapponted steven pienaar fan bcoz of every thng dat is being cyd abt hm n half of it being true i’m jst 15 yearz old n myt nt undrstand anythng abt marrige bt i lve wth a single mom n its nt easy so 4 1s stp thnkin abt urself n thnk of skyla
Victoria on Wed, 17th Mar 2010 9:11 pm
Hapy b-day steven 4rm ur bigst fan victoria