Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi was left pleased by the performances of new signings Iqraam Rayners and Asekho Tiwani in their 4-0 drubbing of Mbabane Swallows.
Rayners, who joined the club in a lucrative transfer from Stellenbosch started as an inside forward on the left with Arthur Sales as the central forward and Lucas Ribeiro Costa on the right.
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However, the Brazilian, also amongst their new arrivals suffered an injury which saw Rayners occupy that central role for most of the CAF Champions League preliminary outing at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
He was amongst three debutants, alongside Tiwani and academy product Malibongwe Khoza, and netted one goal, alongside Costa’s brace and Mosa Lebusa’s header.
“Personally, I regard Iqraam very highly, I like his ability to play into space, behind the defence, and he creates that moments, sometimes coming short and then bursting into space opened behind, I like it,” he said about his scoring debut.
“But you also want to see him as a nine in our team, I used him specifically in that [wide area] because I knew the right centre-back, number 13, would come with Sales, and he would have a slightly bigger hole [to work in] because their right back is their most influential and would often not be in the right defensive position.
“There will be games where we use him in that space again, but I do believe he will be a good nine [for us] and he has competition in that space, but I’m very confident he will do well in that position.”
On Tiwani, the national U20 captain of South Africa, who was lured from Sekhukhune United in a deal worth around R4-million, the Masadawana boss expressed his excitement about his massive potential.
“Tiwani, another bright young talent for South Africa, I’m sure many were surprised when we signed him,” he added.
“I rate him very highly and he can play both as a centre-back and full-back, technically, very sound, good engine, good personality, hard-working. The future for that boys is very bright.”
Sundowns now turn their attention to the Tshwane Derby against SuperSport United on Tuesday evening at Loftus Versfeld.
