Cassius Mailula opens up on tumultuous spell abroad

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Mailula lifts lid on tough overseas stint

Africa Today at 06:17

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Cassius Mailula opens up on tumultuous spell abroad

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackPagePix

Bafana Bafana forward Cassius Mailula has opened up on his turbulent spell abroad after returning to the national team fold ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The 25-year-old attacker burst onto the scene with Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2022/23 campaign, scoring 15 goals with four assists in 31 matches across all competitions under the tutelage of Rulani Mokwena.

Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Toronto FC came calling in July 2023, as a result, but the player struggled to command a regular place in the starting XI as he was competing with former Italy internationals Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernadeschi.

He was subsequently the subject to a loan spell to Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club in August 2024, before spending the previous campaign with then-Belgian second-tier side KV Kortrijk on loan.

Mailula has since returned to Sundowns at the beginning of the current term, hitting the ground running with four goals from 11 outings, and says he drew important lessons during his time outside the country.

“Of course, it's always different when you leave from here to overseas. The level is not obviously the same, it demanded a lot from me and I think I've learned a lot abroad,” said the Sundowns academy product.

"I've learned a lot how it feels to play, also not to play. So, it also made me to be more hungry, you can just see by now coming back home - I'm more hungry to play. I want to win every match that I'm playing, also help my team to win games.

"So, I've learned a lot, and it also gave me a chance to be back in the national team. When you play it gives you a chance to come back and represent your country.

With two caps to his name, Mailula will be eager to impress when Bafana host Guinea at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday, before facing Eritrea four days later at a neutral venue in Cairo, where they will also lock horns with Egypt in a friendly match.

Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.