Meet Iqraam Rayners, the only African club scorer at the 2025 Club World Cup

At 29, Iqraam Rayners has once again shown he is a player who never gives up. Having dropped the club's established goalscorer Peter Shalulile to the bench, the South African justified head coach Miguel Cardoso's decision. After having two goals ruled out, one for handball and the other for offside, he did not let it get to him. In the 36th minute, he opened the scoring and gave Mamelodi Sundowns a perfect start to the competition with 3 points. The South African side top Group F after the 1-1 draw between Dortmund and Fluminense, and registered the only African win after the 1st matchday.

Iqraam Rayners goal v Ulsan. 👆⚽️

The first goal for an African club and first win at the 2025 #FIFACWC 🇿🇦✨

pic.twitter.com/rZHHpft2so

— Lorenz Köhler (@Lorenz_KO) June 18, 2025

An unconventional path before signing for SuperSport United

Born on 19 December 1995 in Cape Town, South Africa, Iqraam Rayners came through the ranks at Kenpark United. He completed his development at Santos, playing for the U17s. Between 2014 and 2017, he was thrown in at the deep end in the South African second division. His fine performances and proven knack for piling up goals earned him a move to Stellenbosch.

A proven goalscorer at Stellenbosch, Rayners caught the eye of SuperSport United, one of South Africa's leading clubs. But over three seasons, he failed to live up to expectations, scoring just 6 goals in 51 appearances. The 29-year-old returned to Stellenbosch, where he rediscovered his confidence and his sharpness in front of goal. During his second spell (2023-2024 season), he netted 24 goals in 38 games.

A top-level first season at Mamelodi Sundowns

Last August, Mamelodi Sundowns bolstered their attack by signing him. From the moment he arrived, the 29-year-old confirmed his talent as a goalscorer. Despite fierce competition for places up front, the Cape Town native has stepped up and keeps scoring.

Iqraam Rayners is enjoying an outstanding first season with Africa's "Brazilians". He has scored 23 goals and provided 9 assists in 45 matches. On Tuesday at Orlando City, he made a big statement by handing his side 3 points against Ulsan on the opening matchday of the Club World Cup group stage.

Iqraam Rayners is our first #FIFACWC Superior Player of The Match after scoring the winner in our opening game! 🔥#Sundowns #TakeItToTheWorld #AfricaToTheWorld pic.twitter.com/xcozfNfEwI

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) June 18, 2025

Iqraam Rayners is not just a goalscorer. He is also a player who pushes his team-mates to raise their game. After the match against South Korea's Ulsan, the South Africa international set the tone for the rest of the competition.

" I'm very happy with the win, it was a good opportunity tonight and we took it. Scoring, of course, is a pleasure. But what makes me happiest is that we won. We are a group, a real one, and that's what matters. This is a first step, nothing more. We'll recover, analyse, and go again together ", he said pitchside after the victory over Ulsan.