Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners has warned against underestimating Chippa United, stating that the Gqeberha-based outfit can make things difficult for the Brazilians, with the two sides set to square off on Wednesday (19:30).

Masandawana will welcome the Chilli Boys at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in a Betway Premiership encounter, with the former looking to consolidate their target of clinching a record-extending eighth consecutive championship while the latter will be keen to boost their top eight ambitions.

Heading into the clash, Miguel Cardoso’s men enjoy a healthy nine-point gap at the summit of the table, having accumulated 61 points from 24 league outings. Meanwhile, Thabo September’s troops are in eighth place with 30 points collected in 25 matches.

With Chippa level on points with both Kaizer Chiefs and Marumo Gallants in ninth and 10th place respectively, and ahead of 11th-placed Richards Bay and 12th-placed Magesi by a single point, the ex-Stellenbosch talisman expects a difficult match in the capital.

“It’s always difficult to play the teams at the bottom because they are fighting to get into the top eight, they are fighting sometimes for their lives. But for us, it’s important to get points and focus on the next game,” Rayners said.

“Obviously, it’s going to be good for a team like Chippa United to play against a team like Sundowns, they are always going to make things difficult for us, and for us it’s just to take our game to the next level and get the points.”

Rayners cautioned that their opponents boast of a host of players who will give them a run for their money. Moreover, the Bafana international insists the Tshwane giants are not thinking about retaining the league title, with their glory within touching distance at this stage of the campaign.

“There is a lot of players that will cause danger from Chippa United, I know there is a lot of quality players there,” added the 29-year-old goal-poacher, who signed for Sundowns in August 2024 on the back of a stellar 2023/24 season where he scored 17 goals and provided eight assists for Stellies.

“No [we are not thinking about the league title], for us it’s just taking one game at a time and collecting maximum points, that’s all we do.”

Rayners is in contention for the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot, having scored 11 goals in the Betway Premiership – two behind the leader and teammate Lucas Ribeiro Costa. Overall, the Cape Town-born forward has so far netted 18 goals and provided nine assists across all competitions this term.