A mixed bag of fortunes for SA players

There were excellent displays by South African players plying their trade in Europe - as well as some disappointments - as their clubs reached the end of their seasons at the weekend.

Steven Pienaar once again played a starring role for Everton as they thumped Fulham 4-0 in the English Premiership.

Pienaar had a hand in all four goals, laying on the decisive passes for three of them and then drawing a foul that ultimately led to a penalty for the hosts after a handball from the resultant free kick.

David Moyes this week publicly stated the club's desire to hold on to the Bafana Bafana skipper beyond his loan spell from Tottenham Hotspur this season, and he now looks to become the No1 transfer target in the European summer.

Aaron Mokoena played what will almost certainly be his final game for already relegated Portsmouth as they lost 2-0 at Nottingham Forest.

Injured Kagisho Dikgacoi did not play any role in Crystal Palace's last game of the campaign, which they lost 2-1 at home to Cardiff City.

Eighteen-year-old Peterborough United rightback Kgosi Ntlhe was again substituted as his club drew one-all at Derby County.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Bloemfontein Celtic forward Dino Ndlovu scored his seventh goal of the season in Israel as Bnei Yehuda beat Maccabi Haifa 2-1 to move up to third and into the Europa League qualification places.

Bevan Fransman made his first start in five months as Hapoel Tel Aviv won 3-1 at home to Bnei Saknin to stay second.

In Belgium, Anele Ngcongca's chances of retaining the Jupiler League title he won with Genk last season came to a grinding halt as they lost 4-0 at home to leaders Anderlecht.

The defeat leaves Genk 10 points off the pace with just four games remaining.

With Ngcongca's agent in Belgium to discuss future options for him, it seems certain he is playing his final few matches for the club.

Daylon Claasen kept up his good run of scoring form for Lierse as they drew 1-1 at Mechelen. The Bafana midfielder has now netted three times in his past four games to take his tally to seven for the season.

In Sweden, May Mahlangu's Helsingborg were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Mjallby.

There was no sign of Tsepo Masilela as the Spanish La Liga side Getafe lost 3-1 at home to Mallorca, a blow to their chances of securing a European qualification .