Renowned youth developer and coach Farouk Khan has weighed in on the Mamelodi Sundowns striking conundrum, making a compelling case for Iqraam Rayners to lead the line against Stade Malien.
Bafana Ba Style will lock horns with the Malian side in the first leg of the CAF Champions League quarter-finals on Friday, 13 March. The match will take place at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane, with the kick-off set for 20:00.
Masandawana progressed to the knockout phase after finishing as runners-up in Group C, securing nine points from their six outings, including a vital 2-0 win over MC Alger in the final round.
Sundowns carry the weight of South African expectations alone this season following the early exits of Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch FC from the CAF Confederation Cup group stages. Orlando Pirates were knocked out in the preliminary rounds.
‘HE’S THE GO-TO MAN’: FAROUK KHAN ON RAYNERS
Despite the arrival of the striker León in the 2026 January transfer window, Khan insists that Rayners remains the undisputed choice to lead the Sundowns attack. Since his return to the starting line-up, the former Stellenbosch FC man has been on song, scoring goals for fun.
The Bafana Bafana international has already netted 13 goals in 23 appearances across all competitions this term. He currently sits joint-top of the Betway Premiership Golden Boot race with 10 goals, tied with Golden Arrows’ Junior Dion.
Meanwhile, León has scored six goals in 12 matches across all competitions since his arrival at Chloorkop.
“Well, based on current form, Rayners is your first choice. When you make your team sheet, I think he is the first name that goes on it,” Khan told SoccerBeat Podcast. “This is simply because of his goal-scoring prowess. You know, he is a player who is going to give you a goal or two. He has also proven that, coming back, his confidence is high. I think he has put his problems behind him.
“There were a couple of problems that we were not permitted to discuss. I think he was going through some issues with Sundowns. But in saying that, I think he is definitely the go-to man at the moment.
“With Lèon, he will have to wait for his turn now until something happens to Rayners, maybe an injury or something else. But at this moment, Rayners is your man to go to.”
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