With the new Betway Premiership season just a few days away, we take a look at five players who could excel for their respective clubs over the next nine months.
Iqraam Rayners
Rayners has established himself as one of the best strikers in the country sine rejoining Stellenbosch from SuperSport United in January 2023. The 28-year-old was instrumental in the Maroons’ run to the Nedbank Cup semi-finals later that year, scoring six goals in just four games and added another nine from 10 league appearances as they secured a six-placed finish. He kicked on last season and spearheaded Stellies’ push for CAF Champions League football, plundering 15 goals to narrowly miss out to Tshegofatso Mabasa (16) in the race for the Golden Boot. That form earned Rayners a move to Mamelodi Sundowns in August and it will be interesting to see how he fares in a team brimming with quality across the board.
Sanele Barns
Barns was the one bright light in a gloomy 2023-24 campaign for Richards Bay, producing outstanding performances on a weekly basis down the right flank despite the team’s struggles. The 27-year-old winger was a thorn in the side for many defenders and his delivery from set-pieces caused mayhem in the opposition boxes. He contributed five goals and five assists in 27 outings and helped the Natal Rich Boys retain their top-flight status via the playoffs. Stellenbosch subsequently acquired his services and Barns should thrive in the more stable surroundings at the Danie Craven Stadium.
Ime Okon
Okon enjoyed a breakout 2023-34 season at SuperSport United after being thrown into the deep-end last August. The 20-year-old defender earned plaudits for his mature displays at the back for Matsatsantsa after racking up 23 league appearances and also featuring in the CAF Confederation Cup. There have been calls for South Africa head coach Hugo Broos to hand the youngster his international debut as he is also eligible to represent Nigeria on his father’s side, but a call-up has yet to materialise. Okon will face competition from new signing Pogiso Sanoka this term, but he’ll embrace the challenge after forming a formidable partnership with Thulani Hlatshwayo.
Samir Nurkovic
Nurkovic will be hoping to play a more prominent role for TS Galaxy after getting a full pre-season under his belt. The 32-year-old Serbian striker made a telling impact for the Rockets following his arrival in September 2023, having previously been without a club for the eight months. He went on score eight goals in 22 league appearances, mainly off the bench and helped Sead Ramovic’s side reach the Carling Knockout final. Cape Town Spurs head coach Ernst Middendorp labelled Nurkovic the best striker in the Betway Premiership last season and he will be eager to prove his former Kaizer Chiefs mentor right.
Ashley Cupido
Cupido shone for Cape Town Spurs on their ill-fated return to the top tier of South African football in 2023-24. The 23-year-old winger had played a starring role in their promotion-winning campaign the previous year, bagging an impressive 15 goals in 30 outings to finish as the top scorer in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. Cupido went on to show that he could cut it at the highest level after bagging seven goals for the embattled Urban Warriors, who made the worst start in the PSL era by losing their first nine games and eventually being relegated. Stellenbosch offered him a lifeline by signing the Spurs youth product two weeks ago and he’s expected to flourish under the guidance of Steve Barker.