Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners has lamented over his omission from the PSL Awards shortlist despite enjoying a great debut season at the club.
Rayners moved to Sundowns from Stellenbosch FC ahead of the 2024-25 season and hit the ground running as he scored 26 goals and added 10 assists in 54 games across all competitions.
In the PSL, he was only second to team-mate Lucas Ribeiro, who won the Golden Boot with 16 goals, both players coming into the final match of the season against Magesi FC tied on 14.
Rayners hits out at lack of recognition
However, Rayners was not among the three nominees for the PSL Player of the Season, which had his team-mate Ribeiro, Orlando Pirates youngster Relebohile Mofokeng and Sekhukhune United’s Keletso Makgwalwa and that decision has left him feeling disappointed.
“I had a good season with a good team, good players, and coaches who believed in me,” Rayners said on Sundowns’ Pitchside Podcast.
“Obviously I was disappointed when I saw the players they nominated. Don’t you think my stats were good enough to be among the nominees?”
Rayners was part of the Sundowns team that swept to another PSL title, an eighth in a row, and reached the Carling Knockout as well as the CAF Champions League finals and he is grateful that he was part of a winning side.
Who is the striker backing for PSL Award?
The striker, however, agrees that Ribeiro was the best player in the country although he maintains his performances warranted recognition.
“I think the best player for me in the league was Lucas, obviously. I’m second after Lucas. You know, other people don’t see it like that… so obviously I was disappointed,” he added.
Rayners’ only nomination was in the Carling Knockout Player of the Tournament category while the likes of Ribeiro and Mofokeng received multiple nominations.
