IQRAAM RAYNERS PLANNING ALGERIA’S DOWNFALL

Iqraam Rayners could go a long way to securing a regular starting spot for Bafana with a goalscoring performance against Algeria on Tuesday.

A much-changed South African team took to the field in their 1-1 friendly draw with Andorra on Thursday.

It was an underwhelming showing although Elias Mokwana made the most of his chance with an equalising goal, to cancel out a very early opener from Ricard Fernandez.

But in head coach Hugo Broos’ attempts to find a out-and-out goalscorer for the team, Rayners is expected to get his chance to prove his worth.

Bafana take on the 34th FIFA ranked side at Stade Nelson Mandela in preparations for upcoming World Cup qualifiers with Nigeria and Zimbabwe in June.

Speaking ahead of the midweek encounter, the Stellenbosch hitman, who has seven goals in 17 DStv Premiership appearances this season, said he’s ready to take his oppotunity.

He said in the Citizen: “For me it is all about focusing here on tomorrow [today], before I think about the qualifiers, it is all up to the coach (Broos).

“For me it is always a good opportunity playing for the national team, and I am happy to be here.”

Rayners, who got ten minutes at the end of the Andorra game, has one goal for Bafana already, in the COSAFA Cup.

He added: “For me (what I aim) to achieve in a game like this (Algeria), is to score one or two goals and do my best for the team, and help the team win.”