Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker has addressed the departures of key players Iqraam Rayners and Deano van Rooyen, who both left the club to join bigger clubs during the current transfer window.
Rayners, a lethal goalscorer, joined Mamelodi Sundowns, while Van Rooyen, a versatile righ-back moved to Orlando Pirates.
Their departures have left a significant void in Stellenbosch’s squad, but Barker remains optimistic about the club’s prospects in the new 2024/25 season.
Barker was speaking after ‘Stellies’ 3-0 win over Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs in their first-ever CAF Confederation Cup clash at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday afternoon.
Rayners and Van Rooyen played a significant role in helping Barker’s side finish in third place in the SA elite league to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup and win their first-ever trophy – the 2024 Carling Knockout Cup.
Barker described losing Rayners and Van Rooyen to Masandawana and the Buccaneers as a setback because the club seek to build on their 2023/24 season success.
The Bafana Bafana frontman, Rayners, is set to be officially unveiled by the Chloorkop-based outfit in due course. He finished as the second leading goal-scorer in SA’s top flight with 15 goals, just one goal short of Pirates’ Tshegofatso Mabasa, who won the Golden Boot.
Rayners has already started training with ‘The Brazilians’ and is ready to start the new chapter of his football career at Bafana Ba Style.
Meanwhile, Van Rooyen was unveiled by the ‘Sea Robbers’ five days ago from the Cape Winelands-based side. The former Stellenbosch captain joined Pirates on a three-year deal, with an additional two-year option.
STEVE BARKER ON IQRAAM RAYNERS AND DEANO VAN ROOYEN’S DEPARTURES
Barker stated isn’t easy to lose key players, but the good thing is that it gives other players a chance to showcase their God-given talent.
He went on to praise his side for being positive and staying resilient after the setbacks of losing Rayners and Van Rooyen.
“I think it has been really good. One of our key successful factors is that our football club is resilient. Resilient means the ability to bounce back after setbacks like losing players like Iqraam Rayners and Deano van Rooyen is never easy,” said Barker.
“But at the same time, it provides an opportunity for other players. We have got a good group of young talented footballers who just want to enjoy and play football and be successful.
“So, great response from the players. You know, life goes on. We have to find different ways with other players to still win matches.”
Barker continued: “We started with TS Galaxy[MTN8] and got ourselves in the semi-final. Now, we are one step closer to the next preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup. So, good response from the players being positive.”
The coach also mentioned that they have to replace Rayners and Van Rooyen, with the transfer window period set to close on the 20th of September.
As reported by this publication two days ago, Stellies are closing in on signing Cape Town Spurs forward Ashley Cupido as a suitable replacement for Rayners. And the club is looking at Polokwane City FC’s Thabang Matuludi to fill the void left by Van Rooyen.
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