Coach Steve Barker tips Broos on Bafana striker Rayners

Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has tipped his Bafana Bafana counterpart Hugo Broos on how to make the most of Iqraam Rayners. The PSL mentor said this in reaction to the striker’s national team recall.

Steve Barker on how to unleash Rayners’ potential

Steve Barker told his club’s website that it was important to play Rayners to his strength. He cited deploying the forward in the right positions as key for him to replicate club form to country.  He said: “This is Iqraam’s happy place in Stellenbosch. We find a way to play to his strengths. I believe people underestimate his goalscoring record and his knack for scoring goals. His awareness in and around the box, and his decision-making.”

Steve Barker: Get Rayners in the right positions

Steve Barker said Rayners could be the solution to Bafana Bafana’s scoring woes. He added: “When he gets chances, he inevitably converts. So, it’s important for us that we have him in the right positions to use his ability to get in behind the defence and into the box. He has shown us, since his NFD days and now in the PSL, that he scores in almost every other game, which is a massive return. I’m very pleased for him. I think he showed consistency since 2023 with the number of goals he scored. I think it’s a long overdue call-up.”

Seven-goal forward reacts to Bafana Bafana recall

Rayners has been in good form in the DStv Premiership this campaign. He has scored seven goals, three behind leading scorer Lucas Ribeiro Costa of Mamelodi Sundowns. The Stellenbosch FC star has since reacted to his Bafana Bafana’s call-up through the Stellenbosch website. The striker said: “It’s always a good opportunity to play for the national team. I’m happy to be back there now. I’ve just got to keep on focusing and doing my best.”

The Belgian recalled the 28-year-old attacker ahead of the Fifa-sanctioned friendlies against Andorra and Algeria later this month. The national team coach released a 23-member squad with the Stellenbosch FC player as the surprise inclusion. The call-up has obviously excited Steve Barker.

How the Stellenbosch FC star returned to national team squad

Rayners has returned to Bafana Bafana’s fold for the first time in seven months. He previously featured for the senior side at the 2023 Cosafa Cup, scoring once in five appearances. However, he was eventually sidelined from the subsequent call-ups. Little wonder, the finisher did not make the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) squad in Ivory Coast. Broos’ men should have beaten Nigeria in the Afcon semifinal. However, the likes of Percy Tau fluffed scoring opportunities and eventually lost on post-match penalties.