Steven Pienaar believes these are "exciting times" for Bafana Bafana, with a talented group of players emerging under coach Stuart Baxter, whom the ex-Everton midfielder says is one of the best he has worked under tactically.
Pienaar, currently in Johannesburg as he contemplates his next club move with his contract at Sunderland ending this month, was impressed by Baxter's first game in charge, the 2-0 Africa Cup of Nations win against Nigeria in Uyo two Saturdays ago.
The midfielder, who played under Baxter in the coach's previous tenure in 2004 and 2005, believes there are signs Bafana are on track to again become a force in African football.
"I watched the game and I was quite impressed. You could see the energy the guys showed," Pienaar said.
"The youth that's in the team; and they've got some experienced players who can keep them calm.
"I'm excited. It's exciting times for us. The coach is a disciplinarian. Tactical-wise he's one of the best I've worked under. He's definitely going to help the team. And I hope the players just don't get carried away and keep working hard."
Baxter told the travelling press in Uyo that he read up on South Africa before his first stint as Bafana coach, but still had something of a culture shock, a big reason for the coach's frustrations at the time.
He believes he has adapted to players' needs in his time winning two league and cup doubles with Kaizer Chiefs and the Nedbank Cup with Supersport United.
"He's experienced the mentality of the players, the behaviour of the players, and now he knows them," Pienaar said.
- TimesLIVE
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