Barker Expresses Sadness To Lose Rayners And Van Rooyen

Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker expressed disappointment over losing key players after the CAF registration deadline.
The club parted ways with captain Deano van Rooyen to Orlando Pirates and Iqraam Rayners to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Barker explained that Sundowns activated a release clause for Rayners, while Pirates negotiated a transfer fee for van Rooyen. Both players were registered before their departures, leaving a significant gap in the squad.
The timing of these departures has proven challenging, as the CAF preliminary stage registration window is closed while the PSL transfer window remains open until 20 September. Barker emphasized the club’s resilience and wished the players well in their new ventures. “No, it’s not ideal,” said Barker when he was asked by Sportswire at the press conference in Durban on Friday.
“We planned; we registered them with an idea that they will be playing these types of games. But we are a club that is very resilient, a club that can overcome setbacks and challenges that we have.
“In both cases, we wish the players very well. Deano van Rooyen has been a long-serving member of Stellenbosch football club and has helped us achieved and he obviously got a big opportunity. So, we are excited and happy for him.”
With van Rooyen departing for his boyhood club and Rayners to Sundowns, Barker highlighted the club’s commitment to developing local talent. However, the interest in defenders Ismail Toure and Fawaaz Basadien to Kaizer Chiefs adds to the club’s challenges.
“But as a club, we are here to create opportunities in the Winelands region and Deano from Idas Valley, now playing for his boyhood club that he supported and that enable to sort of financially benefits, so I’m happy for him,” Barker added.
“But in the case of Iqraam Rayners, he had a buyout clause in his contract which was triggered. So, again, we do wish him well because he served us well and we all know Rayners has done for the football club and life goes – we can’t dwell on the past and we have a great opportunity in front us in this great tournament.”
Stellenbosch FC faces eSwatini side Nsingizini Hotspurs in the CAF Confederations Cup preliminary round in Durban on Saturday (15:00), with the return leg also scheduled for the same venue next week due to venue constraints in Cape Town.
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[…] Rayners, who has enjoyed two stints with Stellenbosch, departs as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer with 68 goals in 135 appearances. He previously represented Stellenbosch between 2017 and 2020, helping them secure promotion to the South African top-flight. […]