Shaun Bartlett vs Steven Pienaar
South Africa against South Africa. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Shaun Bartlett
South Africa · 1996–2001 · ST
- Almanac rating
- 83
- Rank in South Africa
- #8 of 33
- Caps
- 74 · 28 goals
- Clubs
- Cape Town Spurs, FC Zürich, Charlton Athletic
Charlton were leading Leicester 1-0 at The Valley on 1 April 2001 when Bartlett, on loan from Zurich, hit the left-foot volley that won the BBC goal of the season. Second only to Benni McCarthy among South Africa's scorers, with 29 goals in 74 caps, he won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, scored twice at France 98, and made the Team of the Tournament when Bafana took third place in 2000. Career record: 74 caps and 28 goals for South Africa; club career at Cape Town Spurs, FC Zürich, Charlton Athletic.
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 1 rating point, 84 against 83.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.