Aaron Mokoena vs Steven Pienaar
South Africa against South Africa. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Aaron Mokoena
South Africa · 1999–2010 · CB
- Almanac rating
- 82
- Rank in South Africa
- #9 of 33
- Caps
- 107 · 1 goals
- Clubs
- K.R.C. Genk, Blackburn Rovers, Portsmouth
Mbazo, the Axe, led the host nation out at Soccer City on 11 June 2010 and played the full ninety minutes of the 1-1 draw with Mexico that opened the World Cup. He finished with 107 caps, more than any other South African, having debuted in 1999 within months of turning eighteen, and he captained Bafana at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2009 Confederations Cup before losing the FA Cup final with Portsmouth in 2010. Career record: 107 caps and 1 goals for South Africa; club career at K.R.C. Genk, Blackburn Rovers, Portsmouth.
Steven Pienaar
South Africa · 2010–12 · CM
- Almanac rating
- 84
- Rank in South Africa
- #3 of 33
- Caps
- 61 · 3 goals
- Clubs
- AFC Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, Everton
Everton's thousandth Premier League goal was a Pienaar header against Tottenham on 9 December 2012, scored in the blue shirt he wore for 203 games while he and Leighton Baines ran the left touchline together. Two Eredivisie titles and a KNVB Cup came earlier at Ajax, Everton's Player of the Season followed in 2010, and he took 61 caps into two World Cups, wearing 10 at home in 2010. Career record: 61 caps and 3 goals for South Africa; club career at AFC Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, Everton.
The verdict
The almanac puts Steven Pienaar ahead by 2 rating points, 84 against 82.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.