Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye has made a bold and intriguing comparison between Mamelodi Sundowns’ Iqraam Rayners and PSL legend Collins Mbesuma, following the winger’s standout performances to begin the season. Rayners has been in fantastic form, making a significant impact in front of goal and threatening to finish the campaign as the PSL’s top goal-scorer. His goal-scoring prowess has impressed many, including Khanye, who sees shades of Mbesuma’s legendary ability in Rayners’ play.
Khanye couldn’t help but draw a parallel between Rayners and Mbesuma, who holds the record for the most goals in a single PSL season. Khanye highlighted the similarities in their approach to scoring goals, explaining how both players display a natural, almost instinctive, ability to find the back of the net. “He reminds me of Collins Mbesuma,” Khanye said, referring to the current Sundowns forward’s goal-scoring style.
Khanye also shared an anecdote about his time playing with Mbesuma, where he asked the Zambian striker about his goal-scoring secret. He recalled, “I once asked Mbesuma why he scores so much because sometimes he would just turn and shoot without even looking. And he said to me, ‘Junior, the poles don’t move, I just look at the line.’” This response from Mbesuma illustrates the simplicity and confidence that made him such a deadly finisher, a trait Khanye believes Rayners possesses as well.
The comparison highlights Rayners’ growing reputation as one of the league’s most dangerous forwards. Just like Mbesuma, who was known for his physicality, sharp instincts, and ability to score from almost anywhere on the field, Rayners seems to have a similar knack for positioning and finishing. His goal-scoring exploits this season have placed him firmly on the radar as one of the top strikers in the PSL, and if he continues his impressive form, he could very well be in contention for the top goal-scorer title.
Khanye’s endorsement of Rayners also serves to elevate the young striker’s profile, emphasizing that his style of play and finishing ability could make him a household name in South African football, much like Mbesuma. Rayners’ rise this season is a testament to his hard work, and if he continues to impress, he could achieve similar levels of success to those of Mbesuma, who remains one of the PSL’s most iconic players.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Rayners to see if he can sustain his form and possibly break Mbesuma’s record for goals in a PSL season. If his early performances are anything to go by, he could be on track to carve his own legacy in South African football, just as Mbesuma did during his remarkable career in the league.
