Ex-Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana questions Iqraam Rayners’ omission from Bafana Bafana’s final AFCON squad

Former Mamelodi Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana has expressed surprise at the exclusion of Iqraam Rayners from Bafana Bafana’s final 25-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

According to him, the striker’s performances and current form merited a place on the plane to Morocco.

Rayners, despite delivering a strong run of form for Stellenbosch with nine goals across all competitions, was named only on the standby list alongside Mduduzi Shabalala and Thabo Moloisane. The trio will remain at home unless late changes are required.

Speaking on SABC Sport’s Soccer Zone, Kekana argued that Rayners’ numbers stand out when compared to other forwards selected by head coach Hugo Broos.

He acknowledged Broos’ authority and decisiveness in squad selection but maintained that the 28-year-old striker had earned his chance.

“Well, if I’m a football fan, I was going to ask questions like Iqi Rayners with nine goals in all competitions, one would fancy him to be in that Bafana Bafana squad. But we are talking about Mr Broos here, a man who is not scared to make that call of selecting the players that he wants. Of course, Iqi Rayners for me, I fancy him to be part of this team that is going to AFCON,” Kekana said.

Kekana noted that while Rayners’ standby status softens the disappointment, his goal return and overall contribution this season compare favourably to other strikers in the squad.

He pointed to Lyle Foster as an example, stressing that goalscoring form should be a key factor in national team selection.

With the AFCON tournament fast approaching, Rayners will now await any last-minute opportunity to join the squad. The AFCON will kick off in Morocco on December 21.