‘He’s Like Benni McCarthy’ - Pitso Mosimane Tips South African Striker to Flourish in Middle East

Veteran South African coach Pitso Mosimane has identified a player who he feels is similar to Benni McCarthy and is ripe for clubs in the Middle East.

Mosimane is a highly experienced coach who has had six years at SuperSport United, eight at Mamelodi Sundowns and two at Egyptian giants Al Ahly before he started his adventure in the Middle East, where he has coached in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Iran.

That has seen him explore the best of both sides of the world and he believes he has seen enough in Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners to make him succeed in the Middle East.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

While appearing on the Marawa Sports Worldwide show with broadcaster Robert Marawa, Mosimane was asked to name which striker between Rayners and Orlando Pirates forward Tshegofatso Mabasa is a better finisher and he gave an interesting account.

“I think Mabasa finishes better but I believe that Rayners is a top, top striker,” said Mosimane. “Rayners can easily play in the Middle East. He’s got the aggression; he knows where to be in the box. Mabasa is a Gary Lineker, he scores.”

Mosimane then went into details over the different qualities of Rayners while explaining some similarities between him and Bafana Bafana great Benni McCarthy.

“Iqraam has got a little bit of ink in the system. I like him, he is a Cape Town boy, you can rely on him,” he added. “You know Cape Town boys, like Benni [McCarthy]. They are strong and the mentality is strong.”

“They have been through tough times, even sometimes more than the township Soweto that I come from. They have an ink in their system,” said Mosimane, who coached Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia, Al Wahda in the United Arab Emirates, Abha in Saudi before his last job at Iranian club Esteghlal.

Rayners is among players who have been reported to be attracting interest from clubs abroad. The Sundowns striker has scored nine goals in 17 games this season and was a surprise omission from the South Africa squad to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.