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Former Bafana Bafana star Teko Modise believes Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners finally received the recognition he deserves after being named the Hollywoodbets SAFJA Men’s Footballer of the Year.
The award, voted for by members of the South African Football Journalists Association, was announced on Tuesday afternoon, honouring Rayners for his outstanding performances last season.
Just months ago, the Bafana forward voiced his disappointment on the club’s official podcast after being left out of the PSL’s official shortlist, despite scoring an impressive 24 goals in 47 appearances.
Modise says the accolade will go a long way in lifting Rayners’ spirits after that earlier snub.
"Yeah, I'm sure it will man, I mean as a footballer you work so hard to win games and also it's important to win trophies and also it becomes also important to be recognised because at the end of the season, you do have players that are nominated to actually win individual awards,” Modise said.
“I strongly believe that he felt some type of way for not winning any award last season and for that to happen now, to actually be rewarded I'm sure it will boost his confidence because we also need such a player to be on good scoring form, especially towards the end of the year when you are going to AFCON."
Rayners’ move to Sundowns just under a year ago was heavily criticised, but Modise says the striker proved his doubters wrong.
"Normally players when they come to Sundowns they take forever to climatise and with Iqraam when he came there, Peter Shalulile was the top goalscorer at the time so for him to climatise to the new team, to Joburg and to be able to keep scoring goals, I mean it's such an exciting thing to see,” he added.
“But also he's a player that came to Joburg and things didn't work out when he was playing for SuperSport [United]. So, of course, people were saying he was killing his career but I'm glad that he's one of the most important members of the Mamelodi Sundowns team."
