How Mamelodi Sundowns plan to use Iqraam Rayners

SABC Sport reported over the weekend that the Stellenbosch FC top goal scorer for the past two seasons was on his way to Chloorkop after Downs triggered the buyout clause on his contract, understood to be well above R10-million.

Rayners is expected to arrive in Gauteng this week to officially put pen to paper and be announced as The Brazilians’ fifth signing.

Following their narrow 1-0 win over Polokwane City to progress to the semifinals of the MTN8, where they will now coincidentally face Stellies over two legs, Mngqithi was asked about the club’s newest signing.

READ: Deon Hotto: Orlando Pirates ready for hectic schedule: 

“We are happy to have him because he will add something to the club. I am looking at him more for the Champions League than the PSL – in as much as he will help us in the PSL, but I think in the Champions League he will really give us something,” the coach explained.

Mngqithi also confirmed the departure of midfielder Matias Esquivel after just six months at the club and only 13 appearances.

The Argentinian was signed for around R46-million in January and will now return to South America on loan with an option to be bought out of his contract, with the coach responding that he believed it was the “best decision by the club”.

It’s also clear that the possibility to play Aubrey Modiba in that same position could have meant Esquivel was not needed in the first place.

“I think we’ve always preferred Aubrey as an 8 – even coach Rulani [Mokwena] was playing him there. We think he has a lot more to given there than as a fullback. We also want to have fullbacks that can react to this quick wingers in the PSL,” Mngqithi added.

“Aubrey can play at 8, 6 or 10 and that means he is very important in the structure of the club because of his creativity as well.”