‘If you have a striker scoring goals, play him’: Ex-Sundowns star on Rayners omission

Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Brent Carelse has shared his thoughts on Hugo Broos leaving out Iqraam Rayners in the last Bafana Bafana matches.

The 30-year-old forward was one of the notable omissions from the Bafana squad that played Panama in two friendly matches last month.

The former Chippa United man felt Lyle Foster was off form and perhaps the coaches should have selected a striker banging in goals in the PSL.

“It’s something that people only talk about now because obviously we lacked a bit (upfront), I think Lyle was a bit off form, he didn’t give us what we wanted but I think those decisions it’s up to the coach and obviously the coach made the decision,” Carelse told Soccer Laduma.

“But a lot of people would maybe agree with me to say if you’ve got a guy that’s scoring and is a top goal-scorer in our league, surely he needs to be there or needs to be considered.”

Rayners scoring goals left, right and centre for Downs

Carelse said he had no problem with Broos picking players from one club if it benefits Bafana.

“Hugo Broos is obviously the national team coach and he needs to concentrate on the national team, he can’t worry about club football and who is playing for who,” Carelse added.

“He needs to put out his stronger team and if it means all 11 of his players are coming from one team then that’s the case and he’s not going to be worried about what people say and whatever they say, because at the end of the day he must put the strongest team out. If it’s all Sundowns players, he uses all of them.

“As a former player I also understand, because remember the players also want to play, so they won’t be saying ‘No, I want to rest’, if the coach selects me I’m going to play!,” he added.

Rayners scored in Sundowns 4-1 win against Chippa United on Friday which has raised more questions on why he was not in the Bafana squad.

Should Rayners go to the World Cup?