Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns have unveiled their new striker, Iqraam Rayners, from Stellenbosch.
Masandawana have been busy in the market in regards to new players and exits of those deemed surplus to requirements.
Bongani Zungu, Brian Onyango, Gaston Sirino, Thabiso Kutumela and Junior Mendieta are some of the big names that left. Others like Ricardo Goss, Ismael Watenga and Matias Esquivel have been sent on loan.
The Manqoba Mngqithi-led outfit have replaced them with Kobamelo Kodisang, Arthur de Oliveira Sales, Kegan Johannes, Asekho Tiwani, and Rayners.
Rayners officially unveiled
Masandawana forced Stellies to sell their star striker after activating his buyout clause. North Africa heavyweights Esperance and USM Alger were also keeping tabs on the player after his exploits for the club last season.
The 28-year-old was the PSL's Golden Boot runner-up after finding the back of the net 15 times, just one less than Tshegofatso Mabasa of Orlando Pirates. The Bafana Bafana international played a total of 39 games across all competitions for his team in the 2023/24 season where he scored 17 goals and provided eight assists in the process.
“It is always good to come to training in the morning, there are a lot of guys who make you happy. There are also a lot of funny guys in the team who are making jokes like Grant Kekana, Teboho Mokoena, [and Denis] Onyango. They always have things to say,” he said in his first interview as a Downs player.
When will Rayners make his Sundowns debut?
The versatile forward would have made his debut on Wednesday, August 28 in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-final game against former team Stellenbosch.
However, he had already played for them against TS Galaxy in the quarter-final meaning he is cup-tied.
Rayners might be considered by coach Mngqithi on September 13 when the South African giants play Mbabane Swallows in the first leg of the Caf Champions League's second preliminary round.
If that is not the case, then he might feature four days later in the Premier Soccer League game against SuperSport United at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
