The forward is set to dine with the Brazilians who will be competing for major honors both domestically and abroad.
A couple of weeks ago, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi confirmed the signing of Stellenbosch striker Iqraam Rayners.
The Bafana Bafana international had a good season with Stellies, having helped them win the Carling Knockout. The 28-year-old further scored 15 goals in the Premier Soccer League, one less than Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa who won the Golden Boot.
Having finished third in the league, Steve Barker's team qualified for the 2024/25 Caf Confederation Cup and the tactician would have loved to have all his key players available.
How did Sundowns ‘force' Stellies into selling Rayners?
Stellenbosch confirmed the South Africa international has left for Masandawana, but from what they posted, it seemed they just couldn't stop the move from happening.
“Iqraam Rayners has completed a permanent transfer to Mamelodi Sundowns after a buy-out clause in his contract was triggered,” the club stated.
“We would like to thank Iqraam for his service and wish him all the best in the next chapter of his career.”
The club's CEO Rob Benadie is happy to have helped Rayners achieve some of his goals, “We are proud of how we as a club helped reignite Iqraam’s career and for providing him the platform to become a full international with Bafana Bafana,” he confirmed as explained by Stellies' media team.
“Since rejoining Stellenbosch, Iqraam has developed into one of the country’s leading strikers and his goalscoring return played a massive role in our recent success.
“We have the utmost gratitude for his immense contributions and wish him all the best as he embarks on this next chapter of his career.”
What has Rayners achieved?
During his initial spell with Stellies between 2017 and 2020, Rayners helped the club gain promotion to the Premier Soccer League.
His exploits attracted SuperSport United who went for his services, but the relationship did not last. Three years later, the versatile forward made a return to former club and has since shown his qualities.
Apart from helping them to win the Carling Knockout, Rayners won the 2023 Nedbank Cup's Player of the Tournament, and was nominated for the PSL's Footballer of the Season as well as the Players Player of the Season Awards.
He also won the Carling Knockout Player of the Tournament accolade thanks for his contributions. He is now one of Hugo Broos' trusted men in the South Africa national team.
