Pienaar wants a long-term role

Oct 11 2007 by Richard Williamson, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON midfielder Steven Pienaar has spoken of how playing professional football has stopped him being drawn into the gang culture of his South African homeland.

The 25-year-old grew up in Johannesburg where he saw some of his friends end up in trouble.

Pienaar, who would love to make his loan deal to Goodison Park permanent, revealed: “Football helped me keep away from trouble. A lot of my friends were sucked into that kind of thing. In life there you don’t get the same opportunities. I was fortunate to play soccer.”

Pienaar also believes his mum Denise played a hugely influential role in steering him away from the gangs by encouraging him to attend school, where he was spotted as a talented footballer.

He added: “Where I come from is a poor area with a lot of drugs and gangs. I know the life and the background of the people.

“I was fortunate because my mother was a strong woman and we always had to read our books and concentrate on school.”

Pienaar, who played in the Champions League with Ajax, is looking to revive his career at Everton after a move to Borussia Dortmund saw his progress stall.

Pienaar added: “I want to establish myself in the Premier League and to make my move permanent.

“I’m here to play football and fight for my place and it’s up to me to make it permanent by showing I deserve to be here.”