Stellenbosch FC is hosting Kaizer Chiefs on Wednesday night at the Athlone Stadium, and former Amakhosi defender Dominic Isaacs has identified three players that the club must be wary of.
The Soweto giants head into the Stellies clash in a buoyant and confident mood, having secured their first DStv Premiership victory of the season against AmaZulu FC in their most recent game.
On the other hand, Stellenbosch FC are coming off a 2-1 loss against SuperSport United at home and will be eager to return to winning ways at the expense of Chiefs.
Isaacs, who is an ex-Kaizer Chiefs centre-back, says there are three main players in the Stellies side that can pose a threat to his former club, namely:
Iqraam Rayners [27]
“Iqraam Rayners, for obvious reasons, will be a major threat. His overall game is so good, and he has become a proven goalscorer,” Dominic Isaacs told FARPost. “His speed and in ‘one v one’ situations, he backs himself.”
Rayners has scored 16 goals in 18 games since rejoining Stellenbosch from SuperSport United in a surprise deadline-day switch in January.
He went on to win the club’s top goal-scorer award last season. His ability to create space for others has been a new key feature, given the amount of attention he gets from the opposition due to what he did last season.
Jayden Adams [22]
“Jayden Adams is a very intelligent midfielder that can play between the lines,” Isaacs continued.
“He pops up with goals, works hard, and his speed is a huge asset.”
Adams has racked up 87 appearances for Stellenbosch, and, amazingly, he is still so young, considering how important he has become in that Stellies engine room.
He may not be the most flashy midfielder, but Adams does a lot of dirty work, which goes unnoticed. So far this season, Adams has registered two goals in five games in all competitions.
Sibongiseni “Ox” Mthethwa [28]
“The few games I have seen that he is the full package, always available in the build-ups,” added Isaacs.
“He is very comfortable in possession and can play short and long passes. He makes sure he wins his ‘one v one’ duels. The guy brings balance in the team; hence, their full-backs could overlap at will because he would cover that space.”
Mthethwa has been one of the subjects of speculation this transfer window as he was linked with an exit from the Winelands side.
The former Black Leopards midfielder’s main strength is his calmness and ability to break up play in front of the defence.
“Stellenbosch are masters at transition football, especially going forward, it’s going to be an exciting game if Chiefs don’t have a plan to stop Stellies speed because the space between the goalkeeper and defence will be vital,” concluded Isaacs.
Story by Joshua Hendricks
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