Crucial Rayners update after Downs defeat
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Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners. Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
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Crucial Rayners update after Downs defeat
Aug 24, 2026 – 06:43 pm
By Siya Ndlela
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has explained the absence of Iqraam Rayners and Tsiki Ntsabeleng during the Brazilians’ shock defeat to Lamontville Golden Arrows.
The Brazilians suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Abafana Bes’thende on Sunday at Lucas Moripa Stadium in the first leg semi-final of the knockout competition.
On the day, Lebo Mothiba started up front and would later be replaced by Brayan Leon. DDC graduate Bennett Mokoena was also given the nod to start the match, however, Bafana striker Rayners was a surprise absentee, as was midfielder Tsiki Ntsabeleng.
Speaking to media after the match, Cardoso insisted that although Rayners had not been listed on the club’s injured players list, he is in fact nursing an injury while Ntsabeleng is climbing back to full fitness.
“If Iqraam is not on the medical report, it’s because the doctor forgot, because yesterday [Saturday] he appeared in the [training] session with flu and he could not be lined up. So, he was not available for the match,” Cardoso told journalists after the match.
“Tsiki is in the process of being 100 per cent okay. So, he could have been called up. He was not a technical option, but he is already available to be put into play when we decide so.
“What made us not make an option on him was that we felt that he still needs a little bit more training in order to be available. We will always have a few players who will stay out. But it’s a completely different situation from one and the other,” the former Esperance coach went on.
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“This line-up did not even have one single player who made the first XI in the final of the CAF Champions League, not even one. It has obviously been difficult to be consistent in finding a line-up, but also, as you may imagine, when you play three or four days, you need to change players.
“What we need is for the players who get opportunities to understand the moment, know what is required, and give their best. That way, we can consistently rotate the squad and get the right results. That is what we are looking for.”
The CAF Champions League champions will have no time to lick their wounds as a Betway Premiership clash against AmaZulu comes as early as Wednesday evening.
The encounter will take place at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, with kick-off set for 19:30.