Pienaar worth his weight in gold
INPUT: ‘EUROPEAN MENTALITY’ IS ON A DIFFERENT LEVEL
WIts have it all to do in second leg of Wafa Wafa semifinal against Cape Town City.
Bidvest Wits defender Bongani Khumalo believes midfielder Steven Pienaar’s 16-years playing experience in Europe will come in very handy for the club this season.
“Schillo”, as Pienaar is affectionately known in the football circles, joined the Clever Boys ahead of the start of the current campaign after his contract with England Premier League (EPL) side Sunderland FC ended this year.
Khumalo revealed that training sessions at the club haven’t been the same with Pienaar bringing in his European mentality to try and help the guys get the winning attitude from the training field.
“If you watch how Steven trains and what he demands from players it is quite different from the South African culture,” said the Wits centreback.
“Because the European mentality is on another level, not just the level, but the character and the mentality you deal with.”
Having played in Europe himself where he spent five years with spells at EPL side Tottenham Hotspur, English Championship sides Preston North and Doncaster Rovers as well League 2 side Colchester United, Khumalo also said that Pienaar told him to carry his European experience into the club.
“It is the same thing he told me when he came in that I need to bring that mentality to win, compete and share the experience I gained in Europe, which I would like to think I contributed to the success of the club last season. Coming to the new season, Steven will do the same,” he added.
The 35-year-old Pienaar is yet to start a game for the Clever Boys, but has come on as a second half substitute in their last four games. His experience will be vital for their MTN8 second leg semifinal against Cape Town City at the Bidvest Stadium on Sunday, with the home side needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit.