Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker has praised Iqraam Rayners and hopes his in-form striker can lead his side into their first ever Nedbank Cup final.
Rayners has scored an incredible 15 goals in just 11 games since re-joining the club from SuperSport United in January.
Six of those goals came as braces in the previous three rounds of the Ke Yona Cup, with Stellies beating Swallows 3-0 and TS Galaxy 6-3 before knocking defending champions out of the competition with a 2-1 victory at Athlone Stadium three weeks ago.
Rayners and Stellenbosch return to Danie Craven Stadium for Saturday’s semi-final, and his coach hopes the red-hot forward can keep up his goalscoring form.
“That would be fantastic [if he scored another brace]. Obviously, he’s been in great goal scoring form. And in the cup, like you say, I can’t recall in recent terms, a player that’s been able to score a brace in each of the rounds,” he said when asked by iDiski Times.
“He’s in good form, he’s playing with confidence, he’s playing with a lot of belief. A lot of composure and quality in the final third and in around the box.
“And as and I must say that it’s not a fluke, he does it every day at training. I’ve said it before, since he’s come back from SuperSport he is even a better player than when he left us, he is far more mature. His decision-making is a lot better.
“In front of goal is just really deadly. And if we can get a brace, then obviously that would be ideal. But in the end of the day, we know it’s not going to be an easy match, it’s tough.
“But yeah, Iqraam is in good form. We didn’t have him the last time we played Sekhukhune. You know, a couple of changes to the squad since we last played them.
“I think we’re in a far better place currently, more balanced as a team, and more options as a team. So but yeah, long may that continue.”
Similar to Sunday’s opponents, Stellenbosch could reach their first ever Nedbank Cup final, with Orlando Pirates waiting to find out who they will face at Loftus Versfeld Stadium after knocking out Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.
