The agent representing Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners has
expressed disappointment after his client was omitted from South Africa’s
final 25-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), instead being
named only as a standby player.
Rayners has been among the Premier Soccer League’s most effective forwards,
scoring 50 goals for Sundowns over the past two-and-a-half seasons. Despite
his consistent contributions during Bafana Bafana’s AFCON and World Cup
qualification campaigns, he did not secure a place in the final tournament
squad.
“For the player, it is of course a big disappointment,” a representative
from BHM Sports Agency told the Siya crew anonymously. “On paper, you look
at his contribution to Bafana’s recent success—he was ever-present in those
squads. His performances, results, and data all support his selection.”
The agent acknowledged that final decisions rest with the coaching staff.
“There’s a coach and a structure in place to choose the best squad. Not
every player can make it, and in the end, we have to respect that decision.
Whether we think it’s right or wrong is irrelevant—we are not the coach.”
Rayners’ absence follows a medical scare in late October, when he was
released from the Bafana camp due to a suspected cardiac issue. After
missing the closing World Cup qualifiers and taking two weeks off from
training at Sundowns, he was cleared by the club’s medical team. Head coach
Miguel Cardoso confirmed the issue was minor, and Rayners returned to play
without apparent trouble in November and December.
Despite this, speculation arose that concerns over his health may have
influenced his exclusion from the AFCON squad.
“It could have possibly contributed psychologically to the selection,” the
agent commented when asked about the medical episode. “But being
transparent, they could have communicated that to the player—if that was the
reason—which it wasn’t. If he’s been cleared by the club’s medical team, it
shouldn’t play a role. Players have injuries and conditions; this could have
been managed better.”
