The duo was vital for Stellies success across all competitions last season before top teams came for their services.
Premier Soccer League side Stellenbosch have lost two key players in the ongoing transfer window.
The 2023/24 PSL's Golden Boot runner-up Iqraam Rayners has been snapped by league's defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns. The Bafana Bafana international scored 15 goals, one less than Orlando Pirates' Tshegofatso Mabasa.
The latest exit is Deano van Rooyen who joined Bucs. The 27-year-old right-back was Stellenbosch's captain who played a huge role in helping the team win the Carling Knockout as well as finish third in the PSL to make their debut in Caf Confederation Cup.
How will Stellies cope without Van Rooyen and Rayners?
Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker has conceded it is a massive blow to see his team lose influential players.
However, the tactician is confident there is enough crop of youngsters who can effectively fill the void that has been left.
“One of our key success factors as a football club is resilience, resilience means you know the ability to bounce back after setbacks,” the 56-year-old said in a presser.
“We know losing key players like Iqraam Rayners and Deano Van Rooyen is never easy but at the same time, it provides an opportunity for others. We have got a good group of young talented footballers who want to enjoy and play football and be successful, so great responses from the players. Life goes on. We’ve got to find different ways now without the players to still win football matches.”
Barker happy with Stellies' response
Stellenbosch started their domestic season with a 3-1 MTN8 quarter-final win over TS Galaxy.
Last weekend, they beat Nsingizini Hotspurs 3-0 in the first leg of the first preliminary round of the Caf Confederation Cup.
“We started with TS Galaxy, we got ourselves in the semi-final, and now we are one step closer to the next preliminary round so, good response from the players.”
Sanele Barns, Omega Mdaka, Lehlohonela Mojela are the new faces in the team, but Barker is not yet done.
“The window is not closed, losing players like we have, we have to strengthen which we will. We do have targets that we are working on and hopefully we can get some of the over the line.”
