Rayners has a chance to close the gap in the Golden Boot race

Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners has a golden opportunity on Wednesday to close the gap on the Betway Premiership’s leading scorer, Sede Dion, as the race for the Golden Boot enters its final weeks.

Rayners is expected to lead the attack again for the champions when they meet Polokwane City in Seshego on Wednesday (live on SuperSport at 7:30pm) in a catch-up match which gives Sundowns the opportunity to take over top place in the standings.

A long-anticipated suspension awaits Dion next week when Lamontville Golden Arrows return to action and puts in jeopardy his position in the race for the leading goal scorer award.

An accumulation of cautions for Dion means he must sit out the derby against AmaZulu next Wednesday, 6 May, by which time his closest rival, Rayners, could have played in two games.

Sundowns have back-to-back fixtures against Polokwane City this week, with Wednesday’s clash followed by a return match at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Sunday.

Dion has 13 goals in the league this season, with Rayners on 11, although the Sundowns’ striker has played almost 10 hours less football than Dion in the campaign.

The 32-year-old Ivorian-born Dion has started 22 league games and made two more off the bench for a total of 1 787 playing minutes, while Rayners, 30, has started 14 games and been a substitute in seven other matches for a total of 1 244 minutes.

Dion collected a fourth booking of the season in Friday’s goalless draw at home to Siwelele in Durban. Dion had been sitting on three yellow cards for several months before he was booked again at the weekend.