Phil Masinga vs Steven Pienaar
South Africa against South Africa. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Phil Masinga
South Africa · 1996–98 · SS
- Almanac rating
- 82
- Rank in South Africa
- #10 of 33
- Caps
- 58 · 18 goals
- Clubs
- Jomo Cosmos, Mamelodi Sundowns, SSC Bari
Fourteen minutes into the winner-takes-all night against Congo at FNB Stadium on 16 August 1997, Masinga struck from around 30 yards, and that goal alone carried South Africa to their first World Cup. Chippa had already won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations and would finish runner-up in 1998, scoring 18 goals in 58 caps, and he played at France 98 before four seasons in Serie A with Bari. Career record: 58 caps and 18 goals for South Africa; club career at Jomo Cosmos, Mamelodi Sundowns, SSC Bari.
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.