IQRAAM Rayners has urged Mamelodi Sundowns fans to come to Loftus Versfeld in their numbers on Sunday (6pm kick-off) to help spur the team on to a result that will see them topping their group in the CAF Champions League.
The South African champions host AS FAR Rabat in the concluding match of the round-robin phase needing to avoid defeat if they are to progress to the quarter-final – and the striker says they will do so on the backing of a passionate and vociferous Masandawana.
“I just want to tell you to come out in your numbers, be behind the boys and we will make you proud. Please make Loftus yellow,” Rayners urged.
It is a genuine plea, Rayners and Co often playing in a sparsely-populated Loftus for their continental campaign unless the club grant free entry to anyone adorned in their colours.
That’s a huge contrast to the experience they have on their trips to North Africa, where their opponents enjoy fanatical backing in arenas packed to the rafters.
Though they have their fate in their own hands, Sundowns can do with that 12th-man factor as they seek to complete the mini-league campaign with a victory that will see them usurp AS FAR to win the group, and thus send a warning to the rest of the other teams that they mean business.
Beaten in the semi-finals in the previous two editions of the continent’s premier club knockout competition, the 2016 champions are intent on going all the way to the ultimate match and adding a second star above the club’s crest this time around.
But they have not performed like potential champions in the group phase, drawing goalless at home to newbies Maniema Union, getting just a point at AS Far and then losing away to Raja Casablanca.
They still are in with a chance of getting into the quarter-final, though, and while a draw will be enough, victory on Sunday will make a loud statement of intent.
And having been their livewire throughout this season, Rayners will be expected to lead the way yet again.
He scored against AS FAR in the first round, and is thus likely to receive special attention from the defenders of the Moroccan club.
AS FAR have already qualified for the knockout phase, and while he does not expect them to give them the three points, the Capetonian striker believes their adversaries are not going to come at them guns blazing.
“I am sure they will come with a lot of confidence and a fight to make it difficult for us (to win),” he said.
“But I also think that they will sit back (and try to contain us) because they want to finish on top.
“But we must just be patient and be ourselves, because that’s what will make us win the game. We know we must push ourselves, score the goals and win the game.”
Rayners has been Sundowns’ main scorer, and he will go into the match with a spring in his step after he won the Premiership Player of the Month award this week.
Masandawana! The excitement is building as we gear up to take on AS FAR this weekend. Let’s come together and paint Loftus in a wave of yellow! 💛
🎟️ Tickets are available now! Don’t miss out – grab yours here: https://t.co/9LYec4ilcO#Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL… pic.twitter.com/TGkQoyn41i
“It’s always good to win individual awards, but it is not about me alone. It is about a team effort, it’s the team helping me win something,” he said.
“For me, it was a good month (December). We travelled a lot; played a lot of games and I was focused. I was happy, I was in a good space and the team was happy.”
He admits that a lot of matches in different cities in the country and on different parts of the continent can take its toll.
“Travelling makes us tired, but you push through it. And you rest. We have the physios and the people who work with us and help us, and they advise us to get a lot of rest and eat properly.”
That done, Rayners and Co will be ready to deliver the victories on the pitch and the backing of their supporters will come in handy – especially on Sunday. | Independent Media Sport