Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker backs Iqraam Rayners to carve a successful career with Mamelodi Sundowns than the striker did with SuperSport United in his first stint in the Highveld.
While second chances are sometimes hard to come by, Rayners has scored himself one following his high-profile move to the South African champions.
The last time the 28-year-old forward moved to the Highveld was in July 2020 to join SuperSport from Stellies.
Rayners had a stint to forget with The Spartans where he scored five goals and provided 11 assists in 58 appearances.
That was below the expectations SuperSport bosses had when they bought him from the Cape Winelands side, where he just was unstoppable.
The Cape Town-born star returned to Stellies in January 2023 and the player regained his best form after being reunited with coach Barker.
Rayners scored 15 goals and provided three assists in all competitions for Stellies in the final half of the 2022/23 campaign.
Last season, the forward found the back of the net 17 times and assisted on eight occasions in all competitions, which earned him admiration from Sundowns.
“I think he has matured as a footballer,” Barker said.
“When he was with us, he was a prolific goalscorer and then he went to SuperSport and unfortunately, it didn’t work out the way he wanted to and SuperSport wanted him to.
“He came back with the same maturity that he showed after leaving.
“And after he got into the Bafana (Bafana) squad, his confidence and belief in himself just grew and he has turned into a really complete footballer.”
𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗕𝗢𝗦𝗖𝗛 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗦
— #UNPLAYABLE (@UnplayableZA) May 22, 2024
𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻: Iqraam Rayners
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀' 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻: Devin Titus
𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻: Jayden Adams
𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗔 𝗙𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲… pic.twitter.com/TcmVud3czM
Barker acknowledged there is likely to be tougher competition for Rayners at Sundowns.
The Bafana forward will fight for a starting berth with players such as Peter Shalulile, Arthur Sales, Erwin Saavedra and midfield-cum-striker Lucas Ribeiro.
“I believe that the competition at Sundowns is going to be difficult and he knows he has to step up in his game and just keep showing that consistency,” Barker said.
“I’m sure when he gets those opportunities it will just be up to him to grab them.”
Rayners’ move to the Brazilians has been clouded by allegations of the striker hitting a fan with a whiskey glass on the face during a brawl at a club.
News24 reported the player made an appearance in court recently.
Sundowns and Stellies will battle each other in the MTN8 two-legged semi-final clash but Rayners is cup-tied after representing his former club in the quarterfinals.
The first leg takes place at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on Wednesday at 19:00.
'I prefer NOT to comment on this one,' - Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi on the alleged assault case against Iqraam Rayners.
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) August 26, 2024
WATCH full press conference ➡️ ➡️ ➡️https://t.co/OKw981mSbB pic.twitter.com/WoYtkCFusv
