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England-based dribbling wizard Steven “Schillo” Pienaar last night scooped the 2009 Bafana Bafana Player of the Year award.
The talented Everton midfielder pipped Siboniso Gaxa of Mamelodi Sundowns and MacBeth Sibaya of Rubin Kazan in Russia to win the award.
Pienaar, who has been hailed by coach Carlos Alberto Parreira as “world-class material”, is nursing a knee injury after colliding with compatriot Aaron “Mbazo” Mokoena two months ago.
The winner in this category was determined by football supporters via SMS through SABC TV and radio stations. The Safa Awards were introduced by the federation last year to honour top athletes and administrators.
Thulani Serero (Ajax Cape Town) won the best Junior Player of the Year award, defeating the Holland-based duo of Philani Khwela (Feyenoord) and Daylon Claasen (Ajax Amsterdam).
Mpumi Nyandeni walked away with the Banyana Banyana Player of the Year award. Many people thought it would be won by Noko Matlou, the reigning African Player of the Year.
Kylie-Ann Louw was the other nominee. Among coaches, the winner was SuperSport’s Gavin Hunt , who took Styles Phumo, Jomo Sono and Serame Letsoaka to the cleaners.
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