‘He’s like Benni’ – Pitso names Sundowns striker who is perfect for Middle East teams

Veteran coach Pitso Mosimane has named a Mamelodi Sundowns striker who he feels would flourish in the Middle East due to his style of play and mentality.

Mosimane has been around for long and seen enough strikers, first during his six years at SuperSport United, eight at Sundowns and two at Al Ahly before moving to Saudi Arabia.

With that experience, he feels he has seen enough in Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners that would make him a success at clubs in the Middle East.

Mosimane tips Rayners for Middle East

Coach Pitso on Rayners and Mabasa.

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While appearing on Marawa Sports Worldwide, Mosimane was asked who is a better finisher between Rayners and Tshegofatso Mabasa and he gave his insights, explaining what separates the Sundowns forward from the Orlando Pirates striker.

“I think Mabasa finishes better but I believe that Rayners is a top, top striker,” Mosimane told presenter Robert Marawa.

“Rayners can easily play in the Middle East. He’s got the aggression; he knows where to be in the box. Mabasa is a Gary Lineker, he scores.”

The former Al Ahli Jeddah coach then went into details over Rayners’ mentality, comparing him to Bafana Bafana all-time top scorer Benni McCarthy.

What makes Sundowns striker special?

“Iqraam has got a little bit of ink in the system. I like him, he is a Cape Town boy, you can rely on him,” he added. “You know Cape Town boys, like Benni [McCarthy]. They are strong and the mentality is strong.”

“They have been through tough times, even sometimes more than the township Soweto that I come from. They have an ink in their system,” said Mosimane, who also coached Al Wahda in the United Arab Emirates, Abha in Saudi before his last job at Iranian club Esteghlal.

Rayners has been rumoured to be courting interest from clubs abroad and Mosimane’s seal of approval could accelerate a move away from Chloorkop.