Pienaar, 27, has had a major impact on Everton's impressive season, even more so since he was thrust into the playmaker role following Mikel Arteta's season-ending knee injury.

Pienaar hopes his mother, watching from back home in Johannesburg, does not do any more damage to the family television when she watches her son play in the FA Cup final against Chelsea on Saturday.

"There is a lot of interest in me back home in South Africa, particularly since we got to the final," said Pienaar.

"But I was told after the semi-final win over Manchester United at Wembley that my mum almost broke the TV in her excitement when she was watching the penalty shoot-out.

"Lots of my family are coming over for the match, but mum has to stay behind to look after my little sister. I always ring her just before a match to see if she is okay. I just hope she doesn't do any more damage to the TV this time."

Now Pienaar aims to cap a great season for the Toffees, who finished fifth place in the Premier League, by guiding them to their first trophy since they last won the cup in 1995.

And he has no fears of facing one of the country's big four clubs.

"We have already beaten two sides from the top four, so we can beat another this time," he said.

"It has been a long time for our fans not to have had a cup final, and we know the city will go crazy if we do win at Wembley.

"Our fans are passionate and they deserve success like this. We aim to give them their reward for all the loyalty they have shown to this club over the years.

"Chelsea are a great side, but nothing is impossible. We will give it our best shot."

Pienaar added: "We have already beaten two of the top four to get to the final, Liverpool and then Manchester United, so why can't we make it three by beating Chelsea?

"We have drawn with them twice already, so we really believe we can beat them this time.

"But we accept that this will be a difficult final. Chelsea are a tough side with good players in all positions, but we believe we can certainly match them in the final."

Pienaar has blossomed at Goodison Park into a clever creative player.

Brought up in the Ajax traditions in their South African academy before moving to the Dutch giants, Pienaar provides the silky skills to go with Everton's renowned work rate.

He moved to Everton on loan from Borussia Dortmund before a £2m permanent move last season.

"It was difficult at the beginning (of the season). We were not giving the fans what they deserved. But through hard work and team spirit we have turned things around, fifth in the league and in the cup final.

"I have settled into the side now. Last season was totally different, I was on loan and had to prove myself. But now I have my contract and I feel a lot more settled about things.

"But the pressure is now that people expect more from me. But I am enjoying myself here and this is the best football I have played at Everton.

"I do feel extra responsibility. People say I have filled the role that was Mikel's before he was injured. I am asked to be more creative.

"It is difficult to replace him, and really it is not only me. But I am improving with every game and hope that I can prove what I can do at Wembley.

"I love it here, this club is going forward. The manager is doing a good job, but everyone is. The chairman, everybody, and they all deserve this success."