Midfielder lands top award

Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar has reason to celebrate after being named South African Player of the Year.

Pienaar has turned in a number of eye-catching displays for both club and country during the last 12 months and is now a firm favourite at Goodison Park.

His form has certainly got him noticed elsewhere as well with clubs from Russia and Spain, and also Premier League rivals Manchester City, all believed to have shown an interest in him in recent weeks.

He won the accolade at Thursday night's South African FA Awards dinner at which Gavin Hunt was named Coach of the Year for leading SuperSport United to a second successive Premier Soccer League title.