Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners will be under pressure to live up to what he was signed for, after a triggered buy-out clause for a reported R15 million from Stellenbosch FC.
Rayners' move to Sundowns was criticized in some quarters, with the general belief his style of play may not suit the serial league champions.
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Head coach Manqoba Mngqithi also lowered the expectations from the 28-year-old striker after stating they signed him mainly for the CAF Champions League and not necessarily for domestic competitions.
However, the 53-year-old was under pressure after the side were knocked out of the MTN8, where Rayners was cup-tied and needed all the arsenal he could get in the league and Carling Knockout.
The Bafana Bafana striker hit the ground running, as he has already scored nine goals in 12 appearances.
After Sundowns had a slow start in their CAF Champions League group stage campaign, with a goalless draw against Maniema Union, a game in which 'Iqi' was rested, Mngqithi hopes the hard-running forward will live up to his reported R15 million billing in the continental space.
"We are all impressed with how he has really found his form at Sundowns. From the beginning, he has hit the route running. We are all excited with how he has come in and really be of help to the group," Mngqithi told reporters following a 3-0 win over Sekhukhune United.
"Personally, I'll be lying if I say I'm surprised about what he has done because the reason we brought him here is because he is probably one of the best scorers that the country has at the moment.
"He may not have the other tools that you may want in an attacker, but scoring goals is his art. I've always believed in him and for many years I've always thought he should play for a big team.
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"And I still maintain that he will help us even more in the CAF Champions League and I'm looking forward to that," he added.
Sundowns will visit AS FAR Rabat on Saturday evening in the second game of Group B.