Rayners says Sundowns must keep their eyes on the prize

Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners has warned that his side must be on their toes when they take on Chippa United in the Betway Premiership on Wednesday night. 

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Sundowns can move a step closer to an eighth straight Premiership title with a win at Loftus Stadium. If they can beat Chippa, and then beat Stellenbosch at home on Sunday, Miguel Cardoso’s side will have effectively wrapped up the title with two games to spare. 

Sundowns have a clear advantage

Chippa are hanging on to a place in the top eight, despite not winning any of their last four Premiership matches. They have only beaten Sundowns twice in 25 games, the last of those victories coming in the 2019 Nedbank Cup. 

Chippa have never beaten Sundowns in a Premiership game, but Rayners warned they could be a tricky opponent. 

“It is always good for Chippa to play Sundowns, they will make things difficult for us,” said Rayners. 

“It is for us to take our game to the next level and get the points. 

“A lot of Chippa players can cause danger for us. I know there is a lot of quality there. We must take it one game at a time and collect maximum points.”

The 29 year-old Bafana striker is having a superb first season at Sundowns, who he joined from Stellenbosch last August. 

Rayners in the goals

Rayners has 18 goals and nine assists in 38 matches in all competitions. 

He has also either scored or assisted a goal in seven of his last eight appearances for Sundowns in the Premiership. 

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The Masandawana striker also called for the fans to come to the stadium to sing Sundowns towards title glory. 

“I would tell the supporters to come in their numbers and be behind the boys and sing for them to get the result,” said Rayners.