Stellenbosch FC striker Iqraam Rayners has given a word of honour to Hugo Broos after his decision to choose him ahead of Orlando Pirates hotshot Tshegofatso Mabasa for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Orlando Pirates hotshot Tshegofatso Mabasa emerged as the DStv Premiership top goal-scorer, with 16 goals under his belt in the just-ended 2023/24 season.
Naturally, one would expect Mabasa, arguably the most lethal man at the moment, to march into the Bafana squad for the crucial qualifiers.
But he was omitted, with the Belgian coach preferring Iqraam Rayners, who also had a sterling 2023/24 campaign. Rayners scored 15 goals in the DStv Premiership.
In defending his ‘unpopular’ decision to select the Cape Town-born gunslinger over Mabasa, Broos said: “I don’t think that I had to take him [Mabasa] now because I also have Iqraam, who also scored 15 goals. It’s one goal difference.
“So I give the confidence to Iqraam now, and it was a decision of him or Mabasa. But Iqraam did very well in the game against Algeria. He scored easily, so I gave him the confidence now, and it’s up to him to prove it certainly.”
RAYNERS’ PLEDGE TO COACH BROOS AFTER SELECTION AHEAD OF PIRATES’ MABASA
And Rayners is raring to go and prove his worth, especially since he is preferred ahead of the free-scoring Mabasa.
“I thank the coach for believing in me. It’s a great opportunity to be here. I have the confidence to do what he asks me to. I’ll do it, and I’m happy to be here. I’ll do my best to repay his confidence in me,” Rayners said.
“It’s all about working hard; I never expected that I would be part of the national team set-up. It’s not easy to play at an international level compared to the PSL.”
The 28-year-old marksman added, “There is a difference between the quality we have here and that of overseas players. For me, it’s a good opportunity for us to show our quality, get a point, or win the game.
“Games like these are difficult, but if we have the right mentality, then we can get a result. The squad is good, and even if we can get a point, I’ll be happy.
“If we win, I will be more happy. We can steal the game in the last minutes. You saw what happened at the weekend [Nedbank Cup final]. We will be happy to get a win away on Friday and maybe get another win at home.”
Bafana are set to take on the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Friday at 21h00 before hosting The Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein next Tuesday.
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