Pienaar ready to lead South Africa’s Bafana against U.S.

South African midfielder Steven Pienaar said on Tuesday he is looking forward to captaining his national football team, Bafana Bafana, against the U.S. in the annual Nelson Mandela Challenge at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday night.

South Africa’s regular captain, defender Aaron Mokoena, is being rested.

“It is a great honor being asked to be captain and it means a lot to me, but having said that I will not allow myself to be carried away,” Pienaar told the South African Press Association (SAPA).

He is more than ready for his biggest challenge against a new-look U.S., Pienaar said.

“I did not want to rest. I was always keen to play especially as this match is being staged in Cape Town and I enjoy playing here.

With a capacity crowd expected, Pienaar said it is going to be a special game for the fans and for him, being his first game as captain.

“And hopefully we get a win,” he said,

However, he is not worried about getting “special treatment” from the U.S.

“This game is not about me. We are a team and I will have my teammates around me. I enjoy the challenge and I am not worried about being a target. It is all part of the game.”

Also being rested is South African midfielder Macbeth Sibaya.