Benni McCarthy vs Steven Pienaar
South Africa against South Africa. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Benni McCarthy
South Africa · 1998–2004 · ST
- Almanac rating
- 88
- Rank in South Africa
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 79 · 31 goals
- Clubs
- Cape Town Spurs, RC Celta de Vigo, Blackburn Rovers
Bobo-Dioulasso, 16 February 1998: McCarthy scored in the 8th, 11th, 19th and 21st minutes against Namibia, four goals before the half hour at the Africa Cup of Nations. He left Burkina Faso as top scorer and player of the tournament, then became the only South African to win the Champions League, with Porto in 2004, adding two Portuguese titles, the 2003/04 Golden Boot, an Eredivisie title at Ajax and a national record of 31 goals. Career record: 79 caps and 31 goals for South Africa; club career at Cape Town Spurs, RC Celta de Vigo, Blackburn Rovers.
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 Benni McCarthy ahead by 4 rating points, 88 against 84.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.