There are no easy matches in international soccer any more and Bafana Bafana can expect a rough ride when they host unknown Niger in the opening 2012 African Nations Cup qualifier at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday night.

Everton has denied newspaper reports that Bafana Bafana’s Everton-based Steven Pienaar would be swapped for Peter Crouch of Tottenham Hotspur.

HARD-UP Everton have a tough decision this week – pay their reigning player of the season the £75000 salary he’s worth or cash in.

South Africa fly-half Ruan Pienaar has agreed his release from Natal Sharks and will join Ulster at the start of September, it was announced on Wednesday.

Dutch defender John Heitinga will be firmly in the spoltlight in the World Cup semi-final as he is assigned the task of neutralising the Uruguayans’ most potent threat Diego Forlan.

President Barack Obama told America’s World Cup heroes the West Wing of the White House erupted in cheers when Landon Donovan scored the dramatic winning goal against Algeria.

Australia captain Tim Cahill and South African goalkeeper Itemuleng Khune were on Thursday each given a one- match ban after being red carded.

Bafana Bafana midfield kingpin Steven Pienaar, admitted his legs were tired after a gruelling season in the English Premiership with Everton.

South Africa’s talisman Steven Pienaar believes the host nation will get better and better as the World Cup progresses after the host nation battled to a 1-1 draw with Mexico in the tournament opener.

Everton Player-of-the-Season Steven Pienaar is set to take centre stage at last for Bafana Bafana when they host Colombia in an international friendly at the new Soccer City on Thursday night in another vital step towards next month’s World Cup