Former Kaizer Chiefs winger makes big Iqraam Rayners claim - 'He reminds me of Collins Mbesuma'

Iqraam Rayners has started the season on a promising note for Mamelodi Sundowns, threatening to end the Premier Soccer League campaign as the top goal-scorer.

His exploits have impressed former Kaizer Chiefs wideman Junior Khanye who likens the Brazilians star to the PSL record goal-scorer in one season Collins Mbesuma.

“He reminds me of Collins Mbesuma,” said Khanye on iDiski TV.

“I once asked Mbesuma why he scores so much because sometimes he would just turn and shoot without looking and he said to me ‘Junior the poles don’t move I just look at the line.’

“That statement stayed with me. It’s difficult to turn and shoot without looking at the posts and not hit straight at the goalkeeper.

"He [Rayners] is a natural goal poacher, and he has proven it. He is a totally different player," added the former Amakhosi star.

“Sometimes coming to Jozi deals with your mindset and I think he was tested the first time around in Johannesburg.

"He did well to leave and go back to Cape Town and get some experience because when he returned, he improved even from training at Sundowns and compliments to his coaches too.”

Rayners, his Sundowns teammate Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Orlando Pirates forward Evidence Makgopa lead the PSL top scorers' chart with four goals each.

It promises to be a tough contest for the Golden Boot and Rayners has scored a further five goals in as many games in other competitions.

However, reaching Mbesuma's record of 25 league goals scored during the 2004/05 season looks like a tough task for today's PSL strikers.

Rayners still has more opportunities to continue scoring this season as Masandawana are left with 22 PSL matches to play and they are also contesting in the Caf Champions League and Nedbank Cup.

It remains to be seen if Rayners will manage to grab 35 goals in all competitions like Mbesums did in his golden 2004/05 season.