Mamelodi Sundowns forward Cassius Mailula has expressed confidence in his abilities as a player for Bafana Bafana. He made these remarks during a press conference in Auckland Park. Mailula has returned to the national team under new coach Pitso Mosimane. His return comes after a stint with previous coach Hugo Broos in March 2023. During that time, he featured for just 10 minutes in a 2-2 Afcon qualifier draw against Liberia at Orlando Stadium.
Mailula's confidence stems from his recent performance at Mamelodi Sundowns. He has hit the ground running, boasting four goals in 11 games across all competitions. This resurgence in form follows a challenging period for the 25-year-old. He had transferred from Sundowns to US Major League Soccer side Toronto in July 2023. At Toronto, Mailula struggled for game time. He spent part of his spell on loan at clubs like Wydad Casablanca of Morocco and KV Kortrijk of Belgium.
Mailula's exclusion from the national team was partly due to his limited playing time at Toronto. Under Broos, Mailula lost his Bafana slot. However, with his recent performances, he has regained his spot in the team. Mailula emphasized the importance of playing regularly at club level to earn a call-up to the national team. He believes that his return to Sundowns and subsequent performances have given him the confidence to contribute to Bafana Bafana.
Bafana Bafana is currently in camp in Johannesburg. The team is gearing up for two Afcon qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea. Their Group D opener against Guinea will take place at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday. The team will then face Eritrea in Cairo next Wednesday. Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are the co-hosts of the Afcon. Bafana Bafana will also play a high-profile friendly against Egypt in Cairo on October 4.
Mailula's return to the national team has been welcomed by fans and teammates alike. He has always believed that he belongs to Bafana Bafana due to his quality as a player. With his recent form, he is expected to make a significant impact in the upcoming qualifiers. The team's coach, Pitso Mosimane, is likely to utilize Mailula's skills to strengthen the team's chances of qualifying for the Afcon.
The upcoming Afcon qualifiers are crucial for Bafana Bafana. The team needs to secure a spot in the tournament. With Mailula back in the team, they have a better chance of achieving this goal. The 25-year-old's experience and skills will be invaluable in the qualifiers. His return to the team has boosted the team's morale and expectations.
As Bafana Bafana prepares for the qualifiers, Mailula's confidence and form will be essential. He has shown that he can make a difference in the team. With the support of his teammates and coach, Mailula is likely to continue making significant contributions to the team's success. The team's friendly against Egypt will also provide an opportunity for Mailula to showcase his skills against a top opponent.
Key points
- Cassius Mailula has regained his spot in Bafana Bafana after a challenging period with Toronto FC.
