Former Mamelodi Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana says he would have had Iqraam Rayners in the Bafana Bafana squad that’s heading to the Africa Cup Of Nations later this month.
The Sundowns striker did not make the final cut of the 25 member squad heading to Morocco however he was put on the standby list with Mduduzi Shabalala and Thabo Moloisane. The trio will not travel unless there is a need.
Speaking on SABC Sport’s Soccer Zone on Monday, Kekana said compared to the other strikers that have made the final team, Rayners has better numbers.
Though he respects coach Hugo Broos’ decisions, the former defender feels Rayners deserved to be part of the traveling team.
“Well, if I’m a football fan I was going to ask questions like Iqi [Iqraam] Rayners with nine goals in all competitions, one would fancy him to be in that Bafana Bafana squad,” said Kekana.
“But we are talking about Mr Broos here a man who is not scared to make that call of selecting the players that he wants. Of course, Iqi Rayners for me I fancy him to be part of this team that is going to AFCON.
“I can’t say disappointment because he’s on standby. [But] with the numbers that he’s got in terms of the number of games that he’s already played in all competitions, nine goals, that’s huge compared to the strikers that he’s going to be competing with in that Bafana squad.
“When you look at Lyle Foster’s goals, I’m saying the number of goals that he’s already scored already this year allows him to be part of the squad.”
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