Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker feels it was a blessing in disguise to get Iqraam Rayners instead of Thamsanqa Gabuza from Supersport United in the January transfer window.
Gabuza was heavily linked with the Cape Winelands side and the deal was close to completion before it collapsed on the last day of the window, when Rayners instead made the switch from Pretoria to Stellenbosch.
Rayners, 27, has been banging goals non stop for Barker’s side, having scored nine times in just six matches since returning to Stellies.
Barker, who knew Rayners from his first stint at Stellenbosch when he lead them to DStv Premiership promotion, has now opened up on how they concluded the deal for the striker.
“We never thought Rayners was available. We felt we needed a striker and Gabuza was at the time offered to us. It all happened in a space of 48 hours,” Barker said.
“I think SuperSport was after Lepasa. First of all Dzvukamanja and if they had got Dzvukamanja they were going to make Rayners free and that didn’t happen and then it was Lepasa.
“Fortunately, they got that over the line then they opened the door for us to pursue Rayners.
“Yes, I think it worked out very well for us [getting Rayners over Gabusa] and how he keeps taking his chances.
“Today, I saw that he matured from last year in terms of everything. He was upset after the game because he felt he missed chances today. He got to that level where he gets upset when he feels he should’ve scored two or three, that’s what you want a striker to be like.
“I think it’s nine goals now in six matches, it’s incredible. If people at Chiefs or Sundowns are having that run they will be trending. I don’t know if Rayners will trend on social media but it’s a massive effort.”
Overall, Rayners has scored nine times and assisted seven goals in 20 games in 2022/23.
