Schillo hangs up his boots

This is it, Pienaar confirms retirement from football

Former Bafana Bafana captain Steven “Schillo” Pienaar has announced his retirement from the game, bringing to an end an illustrious 18-year career.

Pienaar, 35, who left Bidvest Wits in December after just six months at the club, said retirement had been on his mind for a while, and that he is now at peace with the decision.

“For every footballer it is a difficult decision to make. If you play for so long and you come to the end of the book and you have to close it, it is difficult,” he said.

“If you know what you want after your career, you just have to be open to yourself and accept it. For me, the last year or couple of months I have been dwelling on the decision.

“I knew at some stage it was going to happen, but first I needed to feel peace to say, ‘this is it’. It took me a while, but it is time.”

Pienaar won two league titles and two Dutch Cups with Ajax Amsterdam, and became something of a cult figure at Everton, where he was named Player of the Season in the 2009/2010 campaign.

“At least I am happy, I made it to 35 and most footballers retire at that age.”

Pienaar said he will announce his future plans “in the next month or so”.

He also played for Borussia Dortmund, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland abroad, and was one of South Africa’s most successful exports along with Benni McCarthy and Lucas Radebe.

Pienaar has 62 Bafana caps .