Pienaar wants to join South Africa later for the Nations Cup

The tournament in Ghana starts on 20 January but teams can call up players two weeks before the kick-off.

Pienaar wants to join the squad ahead of South Africa's first Group D match against Angola on 23 January.

"Things are going so well here and going away for a few weeks makes it a difficult situation," Pienaar said.

Talking to English newspaper the Daily Telegraph he added: "I can't do anything about it though.

"We are going to write a letter to see if I can meet up a bit later, but it's up to the coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira. I hope he says yes."

Pienaar is playing with a smile on his face again after miserable time in Germany.

He is settled in England and has helped Everton on a long unbeaten run - a stark contrast his feelings of isolation at Dortmund.

"They didn't accept me in the group (at Borussia). I don't know why.

"It was okay when I first went but then some new players came in and they were always talking about me in the newspapers, blaming the midfield when we lost a game."

"The coach has to keep protecting you but when he got fired I was fighting the battle alone."

"Coming over here was an opportunity to enjoy football again, get the feeling back, have a smile on your face every day."