Headache-hampered Pienaar fit for South Africa
Reuters - Tuesday 08 February 2011, 11:21
RUSTENBURG - Tottenham Hotspur and South Africa
midfielder Steven Pienaar is suffering headaches after being
knocked unconscious during training but should be fit to face
Kenya in a friendly, he said on the eve of Wednesday's match.
Pienaar clashed heads with compatriot Bongani Khumalo when
both players went for a high ball during training last week at Spurs.
"It's funny because the headaches go away and then they come
again. I'm still taking some tablets," Pienaar told Reuters on
Tuesday.
Pienaar trained on Monday and Tuesday and said he was
available to play against Kenya at Rustenburg's Royal Bafokeng
Stadium on Wednesday.
The midfielder joined Tottenham Hotspur from fellow Premier League
club Everton during last month's transfer window and said he was
looking forward to the prospect of a return to Champions League
action.
He last played in Europe's top club competition at Dutch
club Ajax five years ago and is hoping to feature next week when
Harry Redknapp's side travel to AC Milan in their last-16 first leg match.
"I'm looking forward to every game, also the Champions
League. It's every player's wish to compete there at the highest
level and to have that opportunity at the age of 28, I consider
it an honour," he said.
"The move is something new, it's a new club, a new city. You
have to get used to your surroundings.
"Time will tell if I made the right move, for me it's a
challenge, that's why you play football, for the challenges. You
have to take risks and that's the risk I took."