Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye sees similarities in the game of Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners and that of Zambia legend Collins Mbesuma.
Mbesuma made a name for himself during his one-year stint at Chiefs from 2004-2005, when he scored 33 goals in 35 matches, and was revered for his poacher’s instinct in the box plus the ability to shoot without looking.
Having watched Rayners during his time at Stellenbosch and now at Sundowns, Khanye says the striker reminds him of Mbesuma given the kind of goals he has been scoring, including at the weekend when he was on target as his side beat Sekhukhune United 3-0.
Khanye sees Collins Mbesuma in Rayners
“He reminds me of Collins Mbesuma,” said Khanye on iDiski TV.
“I once asked Mbesuma why he scores so much because sometimes he would just turn and shoot without looking and he said to me ‘Junior the poles don’t move I just look at the line’.
“That statement stayed with me. It’s difficult to turn and shoot without looking at the posts and not hit straight at the goalkeeper. He [Rayners] is a natural goal poacher, and he has proven it. He is a totally different player.
“Sometimes coming to Jozi deals with your mind-set and I think he was tested the first time around in Jo’burg. He did well to leave and go back to Cape Town and get some experience because when he returned, he improved even from training at Sundowns and compliments to his coaches too.”
Can the striker maintain his hot form?
It is high praise for Rayner’s who has already bagged eight goals in 11 games in a Sundowns shirt, living up to the big reputation that he came with from Stellenbosch.
The striker scored 15 league goals for Stellies last season as Steve Barker’s men finished an impressive third in the PSL and attracted interest from a number of teams before Sundowns paid his release clause to seal the deal.
