Shaun Bartlett believes Iqraam Rayners will be crucial for Bafana Bafana’s success at the Fifa World Cup, where the expanded format offers them their best chance to advance beyond the group stage. Picture: Michael Sherman/IOL
Image: Michael Sherman/IOL
South Africa Afcon 1996 legend Shaun Bartlett believes that Iqraam Rayners will lead the Bafana Bafana strike force at the Fifa World Cup starting next month.
Before they’ve even kicked a ball at the FIFA World Cup, this will be the best chance Bafana Bafana have ever had of advancing beyond the group stage for the first time.
That’s a fact, and it has nothing to do with the ability of the team itself. The expanded format of this year’s Fifa World Cup will be particularly kind to those sides that are unable to stand out right from the start.
As usual, the top two teams from the 12 groups will advance to the next round. However, for the first time, the eight best third-placed sides will also advance.
However, Bartlett believes the performance of Rayners will be pivotal.
“We do not have many strikers scoring goals at the moment. Iqraam Rayners is scoring consistently for Sundowns. He could be the answer for us and boost the attack at the World Cup,” Bartlett told SportsBoom.co.za.
Bartlett also played in the 1998 Fifa World Cup, overall, was optimistic about Bafana’s chances.
“We must prepare the best way possible ahead of the tournament. It is discouraging that you hear sometimes the current generation is going through same things we went through 30 years ago.
“We have a massive opening game against Mexico. It’s never easy playing the hosts. South Korea will run all day, while Czechia are always tough to beat. But we should remain positive, and I back the boys to deliver a strong tournament.”