‘Better than Lyle Foster’: Hlompho Kekana hits out at Hugo Broos’ Afcon snub of Sundowns striker
Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners has been left out of the Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
Image: BackpagePix
Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Hlompho Kekana has voiced doubts over Hugo Broos’ decision to leave Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners out of the Africa Cup of Nations squad.
Broos named his squad on Monday, and Rayners’ name was missing from the team that will play at the continental showpiece in Morocco in a little over two weeks. Instead, he has been named as one of three players on standby alongside Mduduzi Shabalala and Thabo Moloisane.
Rayners is one of the deadliest strikers in the Betway Premiership. The former Stellenbosch FC man has already found the back of the net six times this season and has scored nine goals in all competitions. In the previous campaign, he scored 14 times in the league as Sundowns won an eighth consecutive title.
"Well, if I’m a football fan, I was going to ask questions like Iqraam Rayners with nine goals in all competitions – one would fancy him to be in that Bafana Bafana squad ahead of Lyle Foster," Kekana said on SoccerZone earlier this week.
"But we are talking about Mr Broos here, a man who is not scared to make that call of selecting the players that he wants. Of course, Iqraam Rayners, for me, I fancy him to be part of this team that is going to AFCON.
"I can’t say disappointment because he’s on standby. But with the numbers he’s got in terms of games already played in all competitions, nine goals is huge compared to the other strikers he’s going to be competing with in that Bafana squad."
Kekana’s critique underscores the questions many fans are asking ahead of AFCON. While Rayners may have been overlooked for the main squad, his form this season means he cannot be ignored, and his presence on standby keeps him in the conversation.
If he stays sharp and ready, Rayners could yet play a decisive role for Bafana, proving that sometimes the strongest statements are made off the pitch as much as on it. He can also give Broos something to think about ahead of the World Cup.
IOL Sport