Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi says he is happy with how Iqraam Rayners has found his form at the Tshwane giant. 

The Bafana Bafana striker joined the Brazilians at the beginning of this current season from Stellenbosch, having played only one game in Stellies this season against TS Galaxy in the MTN 8. 

Since he joined Sundowns, who triggered his release clause, the former Stellenbosch attacker has scored eight goals in all competitions. Mngqithi says he is happy with how Rayners has Adapted in Sundowns. “I think we are all impressed with how he [Rayners] has found his form at Sundowns,” Mngqithi said. 

“From the beginning of the season, I think he has hit the road running. We are all excited about how he has managed to come in and be of help to the group. 

“I would be lying if I said I’m surprised with what he has done because the reason why we brought him here is because we know he is probably one of the best goal scorers that the country has at the moment. 

“He may not have the other tools that one would want for in an attacker, but scoring goals is his art, it’s one thing that I’ve always believed in him. 

“For so many years I’ve always thought he should always play for a big team. I still maintain that I think he will help us even more in the Champions League and I’m looking for to that.” 

Rayners was one of the scorers on Saturday as they beat Sekhukhune United 3-0 to go top of the Betway Premiership.  He also scored in the Carling Knockout final last weekend as they lost 2-1 to Magesi FC. 

Meanwhile, the Namibian striker Peter Shalulile is only a few goals away from being the PSL all-time top goal scorer. Siyabonga Nomvethe is currently leading as he has 123 goals, but Mngqithi believes that Shalulile will be the all-time top goal scorer in the PSL this season and that will mean a lot to everyone at Sundowns. 

“The temptation to make sure that he achieves his target is probably in line with our temptation to try and achieve our goals,” Mngqithi added. 

“He has had some challenges in terms of his form. It was our responsibility to try and push him to start scoring and he has started scoring now. So, we are just hoping that with the games that coming fast, we can keep him out of injury risk because that is important. 

“Part of his challenges is that he got injuries a lot. It was difficult for him not to play because he is a talisman. Everybody would look at him whenever we need a goal and when we’ve got a chance now to refresh him and get him hungry in a little bit so that when he comes in he can help you, I think that gives us a bit of an advantage. 

“He’s been very important for this club for the past three seasons. This season, there will be no different because it’s still very early in the season we’ve only played eight matches and you can ask yourself when this season ends where will he be? 

“The number of goals that I expected of him I think it will be very easy to try and push him to get those goals. I think it will be nice for the club and everyone in the club for him if he can achieve that.” 

The last time Shalulile scored a goal was against the Chiefs in the quarterfinal of the Carling Knockout at FNB Stadium earlier last month.