Pitso Mosimane explains how Rayners’ move to Abha Club fell through
Renowned football coach Pitso Mosimane has explained how the move to sign Stellenbosch FC striker Iqraam Rayners at Abha Club fell through.
Rayners was one of the outstanding performers in the just-ended 2023/24 PSL season, and he’s nominated for the prestigious Footballer of the Season award.
The 28-year-old forward was crucial for Stellies in front of goal when they won the inaugural Carling Knockout Cup after beating TS Galaxy 5-4 on penalties in December 2023.
Stellenbosch also finished in the top three on the log standings in the Premiership to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup next season.
The Western Cape-based side collected 50 points after winning 14 matches in the league, drawing eight, and losing eight times in 30 games. Stellenbosch finished the season behind second-placed Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, who won their seventh successive league title.
In what was his best campaign in Stellenbosch colours, Rayners scored 17 goals across all competitions in 39 games. His impressive performances earned him a Bafana Bafana call-up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The talented striker was also a contender for the Golden Boot award in the DStv Premiership after scoring 15 goals. The race was subsequently won by Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa who bagged 16 goals.
Rayners netted the opening goal for Bafana Bafana as they beat Zimbabwe 3-1 at a packed Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.
WHAT DID PITSO MOSIMANE SAY ABOUT IQRAAM RAYNERS FAILED MOVE TO ABHA CLUB?
While the former SuperSport United attacker has been the subject of speculation in the past few months, Mosimane says Rayners nearly joined his Saudi Arabian outfit Abha Club, but Stellenbosch opted against the move after failing to find an immediate replacement.
“Iqraam Rayners was suppose to come and join me in the gulf [region], Stellenbosch had agreed and the deal collapsed in the last hour. They couldn’t replace him in time and decided to keep him because the transfer window was closing. If there was enough time, they would use the money [from Saudi Arabia] to buy another player, probably better than Rayners,” Mosimane said on Metro FM.
“It’s not that Stellenbosch didn’t want; Rayners was gonna make money, pay school fees for his kids and buy a nice house in Cape Town.”
Meanwhile, the ex-Mamelodi Sundowns mentor is back in the market after his contract at Abha Club expired at the end of the campaign.
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