Gavin Hunt gives honest reason behind departure of Iqraam Rayners
“For me, guys if the player is not happy, he must go.”
SuperSport United head coach Gavin Hunt has spoken out about the departure of Iqraam Rayners, who signed for Stellenbosch FC in the January transfer window.
The 27-year-old attacker joined the Stellies for his second spell after spending two seasons and a half with Matsatsantsa.
Rayners had a splendid stint with the Western Cape outfit between 2017 and 2020 prior to switching to the Swanky Boys in the 2020/21 campaign.
However, at SuperSport, he failed to live up to expectations and couldn’t make his way into the regular starting line-up.
This season, under Hunt, he played 13 games in which he started four times. Meanwhile, he scored in his second debut for Stellenbosch this past Saturday in a match against Chippa United.
Hunt stated frankly that Rayners was let go because he was no longer happy at the club.
GAVIN HUNT ON WHY IQRAAM RAYNERS LEFT
“For me, guys, if the player is not happy, he must go,” Hunt told the media during the Nedbank Cup press conference.
“So that’s it. Why keep an unhappy player? And no hard feelings that he wanted to leave, and that was it.”
On the other hand, the Spartans signed Zakhele Lepasa on loan from Orlando Pirates to temporarily replace Rayners.
The Bafana Bafana striker has also been struggling to get a regular spot in the Buccaneers’ line-up under Jose Riveiro.
He has played 14 games in all competitions this season, however, just like Rayners, he has been utilised more as a second-half substitute.
SuperSport United are set to take on Dondol Stars in the Nedbank Cup in a match that will take place on Wednesday, 08 February.
Matsatsantsa will host the ABC Motsepe side in their backyard at the Lucas Moripe Stadium with kick-off set for 19:30.
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