Iqraam Rayners could not have asked for a better debut season at Mamelodi Sundowns where he seamlessly adapted to their rhythm and scored vital goals in competitions played by The Brazilians last season.
The former Stellenbosch FC and SuperSport United striker has now shifted his focus to making sure he and his Sundowns teammates leave a lasting impression on the football world when they take on Ulsan HD of Korea, Fluminense of Brazil and Germany’s Borussia Dortmund in the Fifa Club World Cup that got underway this morning in the US.
Sundowns open their campaign on Wednesday against Ulsan, face Dortmund on Saturday, and complete their Group F matches against Fluminense on June 25.
In a partnership with Lucas Ribeiro that blossomed as the season progressed, Rayners managed to fire in a total of 22 goals in 44 matches in all competitions.
The highlight was the 14 goals and nine assists that the Cape Town-born Bafana Bafana striker contributed in the 26 matches he featured in as Sundowns won the league for the eighth consecutive season.
Speaking to the Sunday Times from the US on Friday night, Rayners, 29, insisted his immediate success at Sundowns was made easier by his teammates who gave him a warm welcome when he arrived at Chloorkop in July last year. “I couldn’t have done it all alone; it was teamwork,” said Rayners who finished two goals shy of Ribeiro in the league’s top goalscorers’ chart.
“Now our attention is on doing well in the Club World Cup, and we feel how we start against Ulsan on Wednesday will be key. We haven’t viewed much of their previous games but I’m sure we’ll make a huge impression in that game.”
Rayners insisted everyone at the club has recovered from the disappointment of not winning the Caf Champions League early this month, when they lost to Pyramids FC of Egypt. Sundowns were fancied against a side which was making its debut in the final, while they were featuring for the third time.
“It was not meant to be. But we shouldn’t forget how great a team we faced in Pyramids,” he said.
With the Club World Cup now expanded to 32 teams, and to be played every four years, Rayners agreed it was important for African players to show the world how African football has improved in the last few years.
This is also an excellent chance — especially for young African players — to be scouted by big-spending European clubs if they shine at their respective clubs during the month-long tournament.
Wydad Athletic of Morocco, Al Ahly of Egypt and Esperance of Tunisia are the other teams representing the African continent, and Rayners said all these clubs have good players capable of playing anywhere in the world.
“It’s a wonderful platform for the players to display their talents. But as Sundowns we want to be among the African teams that will progress to the next round. If we do that there will be better chances of some of us attracting big clubs.”
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.