Stellenbosch FC will miss their key man Iqraam Rayners when they come face-to-face with SuperSport United on Tuesday evening.
The two sides clash in a DStv Premiership clash at the TUT Stadium (7.30pm), but Rayners, who left SuperSport for Stellies in January, will not be in the line-up.
Iqraam Rayners has been in scintillating form in the last four moneys, netting 15 goals in 11 appearances in all competitions.
STELLIES KEY MAN TO MISS TIE
The talented forward confirmed to Radio 2000 that he would not play a part in the SuperSport tie.
With nine goals in the DStv Premiership, Rayners would have wanted to play Matsatsantsa to close the gap on Mamelodi Sundowns’ Peter Shalulile.
Shalulile is the current top goal scorer with 11 goals this season.
“I only have three games left because I can’t play against SuperSport United, even though I signed permanently for Stellies,” Rayners said.
He added: “That was part of the deal and no hard feelings.”
SuperSport midfielder Jamie Webber believes the absence of the 27-year-old striker is a blessing for them.
Webber said they knew their former teammate “inside and out,” and he would have given them headaches.
He is convinced Stellies coach Steve Barker has found a way of getting the best out of him. Rayners struggled for form in Pretoria but has sprung to life in Cape Town.
SuperSport are vying for a second-place finish, which would guarantee them CAF Champions League football.
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They would have probably witnessed Mamelodi Sundowns and Marumo Gallants walts into the semi-finals of the CAF interclub competitions over the weekend.
Sundowns are through to the Champions League semis, where they face Wydad Casablanca. Marumo will face Young Africans in the Confederation Cup next week.
Gavin Hunt’s SuperSport are third after amassing 47 points. Second-placed Orlando Pirates are two points ahead with three games to go.
Kaizer Chiefs’ 2-1 loss to Swallows FC over the weekend left SuperSport and the Buccaneers as the two teams vying for that spot.