Iqraam Rayners can make Mamelodi Sundowns roar in AS FAR crunch

FEW things inspire sportsmen better than the recognition of their efforts.

Granted, football is a team sport, and coaches and players always make sure to remind us that their achievements are thanks to the help of those around them.

But individual awards go a long way towards bringing the best out of sportsmen, and that being the case, you can bet that Mamelodi Sundowns’ Iqraam Rayners will be cock-a-hoop when he takes to the field against AS FAR Rabat in the club’s final group match of the CAF Champions League at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday (6pm kick-off).

Rayners was yesterday announced as the Premiership Player of the Month for both November and December for his incredible efforts that have seen him score six league goals this season, which has ensured Sundowns are top of the table after 11 matches.

He will once again be looked upon by coach Miguel Cardoso, himself also sure to be inspired after winning the Coach of the Month award, to deliver the goods against AS FAR Rabat as Sundowns seek to secure a spot in the quarter-finals.

The Brazilians are currently second on the table on eight points behind AS FAR, who have a point more.

A win for Sundowns will see them topping the group ahead of the knockout phase, an achievement that will send a message to their future opponents that the Brazilians mean business.

Having already beaten the other Moroccan side – Raja Casablanca – 1-0 at Loftus courtesy of a Rayners goal, Sundows would love nothing more than to complete the double by also beating AS FAR.

And how the Capetonian striker would love to also be the match-winner, particularly so shortly after the confidence-boosting accolade he received for his efforts on the domestic front.

We spoke to Sha Sha after the team's hard-fought victory at Stade des Martyrs to get his thoughts on the match! 🗣👆#Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/MGl5UodFQK

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) January 12, 2025

Sundowns will also qualify for the quarter-finals should they draw because Raja – who will host already eliminated Maniema Union – can only get to a maximum eight points, and a stalemate with AS FAR will take the Brazilians up to nine.

Stranger things have happened in this beautiful game of billions, though, and a Sundowns defeat by AS FAR could see the Brazilians suffering the embarrassment of missing out on the knockouts.

Should they lose and Raja win, the two teams will both finish on eight points, leading to the head-to-head situation being used to separate them.

Fascinatingly, they are equal on that front because they beat each other 1-0.

HIGHLIGHTS 📹

Mamelodi Sundowns staged a dramatic comeback to secure a crucial 3 points with a last-minute goal against AS Maniema Union. 💥#TotalEnergiesCAFCL | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/YOLcVVmeVu

— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) January 13, 2025

Currently, Sundowns have a better goal difference (+1) compared to Raja’s (-2), but defeat by AS FAR will see that worsening.

And with Raja at home against a Maniema outfit that will merely be honouring the fixture as they are already eliminated, the possibility of the Moroccans going on a scoring spree are high.

The goal is pretty simple for Sundowns then: avoid defeat, and you are in the quarter-finals.

Yet with Rayners sure to be on a high of being the country’s best forward at the moment, expect the Brazilians to fire on all cylinders and the striker to get back to scoring ways after not being on the mark in the last two matches against Raja and Maniema. | Independent Media Sport