S. African captain Steven Pienaar retires from international football

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - South Africa captain Steven Pienaar has retired from international football only three months before his country hosts the African Cup of Nations.

The Everton midfielder's decision was announced by the South African Football Association (Safa) on Tuesday as coach Gordon Igesund named his Bafana Bafana squad for two upcoming friendlies.

"He's given us 10 years of service and his body is tired," the newly-appointed Igesund said.

The 30-year-old player told Safa of his decision in a letter, which was read out by Safa chief executive Robin Peterson at Tuesday's news conference. In it, he wrote that "it is with regret that I announce my retirement from international football".