If Stellenbosch FC are to match Mamelodi Sundowns, they will have their work cut out to contain Iqraam Rayners' predatory instincts, which are as sharp as ever.
Stellenbosch host Sundowns tonight in a Betway Premiership match at the Cape Town Stadium, starting at 7.30pm. It will be a rare Mother City appearance for Stellenbosch as local venues like the Danie Craven Stadium and the nearby Athlone Stadium have not been available.
In recent weeks, Stellenbosch have played several home matches in Durban. The match, then, will not only be a homecoming for Stellenbosch but will also mark a welcome return for former Stellenbosch striker, Cape Town-born Rayners, who will lead the Sundowns attack.
Rayners has had two spells with Stellenbosch after starting his pro-career with Santos in the 2014 season. He joined Sundowns at the start of the season, and their recently departed coach, Manqoba Mngqithi, a big admirer of Rayners, recently said: "Scoring goals is his art."
Since then, the 28-year-old Rayners has featured consistently and has been in impressive scoring form in the Betway Premiership, the Carling Knockout, the CAF Champions League, and at an international level for Bafana Bafana.
Steve Barker, the Stellenbosch coach, did not comment on the likely Rayners threat but acknowledged that Sundowns have a formidable squad.
"Sundowns arrive in Cape Town as log-leaders, and playing them poses a big challenge. As a club, we are also aspiring to challenge for the league title, so these games against the top sides become massive encounters," said Barker. "It is important that we keep getting points to stay in touch with the leaders in the league."
Barker had his squad running out at the match venue yesterday after his side arrived home on Monday evening from Angola. As a result of the turnaround time — or the lack thereof — Barker did not have much time to put the players through their paces ahead of the match. It did help, though, that Stellenbosch defeated the hosts Lunda Sul in their CAF Confederation Cup match on Sunday.
"The players are in a good mood after Sunday's win, which instils belief and confidence in the ranks. We will take this belief and confidence into the game against Sundowns.
“It is going to be an exciting match because Sundowns are coming off a good win (thanks to Rayners' match-winner) over the weekend. This should draw the crowd, and it would be nice to finally play a home game in front of our fans.
“Also, this will be the last (Premiership) game in Cape Town for 2024. Let's hope the fans come out in numbers to support the team and help us get the maximum points."
Sundowns have been spectacularly dominant in South African football, having claimed seven consecutive Premiership titles. However, during that time, Stellenbosch enjoyed the rare distinction of scoring back-to-back wins over Sundowns on consecutive Saturdays earlier this season in the two-legged MTN8 semi-final round. While those reverses will be in the back of the players' minds, Barker noted that the team was vulnerable due to changes in the coaching staff at the time.
"That's in the past. It was early in the season, and they made changes to the coaching staff," said Barker. "Now we play them again after a change of coach, and bear in mind Rayners did not play against us in those games." | Independent Media Sport