‘I belong’: Mailula makes Bafana Bafana comeback statement

Mamelodi Sundowns striker Cassius Mailula says he always believed he belonged in the Bafana Bafana setup and is delighted to have another opportunity to prove himself on the international stage.

The 25-year-old has returned to the national team after a difficult spell abroad, with his impressive form for Sundowns earning him a place in Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane’s squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Mailula has scored four goals in 11 appearances for Sundowns in all competitions this season and will now reunite with Mosimane, the coach who gave him his first opportunity in the Sundowns senior team as a teenager.

“It is always a dream and honour to be part of the national team … I am very grateful and honoured and happy to be back,” said Mailula ahead of Bafana’s training session at the University of Johannesburg.

Mailula’s last Bafana appearance came in March 2023, when he featured in two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Liberia under former head coach Hugo Broos.

His move to Toronto FC later that year, however, saw his opportunities become limited, making a sustained return to the national team difficult.

Mailula insists that period did not change his belief that he was good enough to play for South Africa.

“I always believed that I belong in the national team, because of the quality I have,” he said.

“Even with the previous coach (Broos) I was called up. Things didn’t work out the way I wanted because I was not playing at my club. It showed that it doesn’t matter who you are, you need to play at club level and earn your call up.

“For me it was about coming back to South Africa and doing well (with Sundowns), knowing that if you are playing in a big club and doing well you have a chance to play in the national team.”

The forward was particularly pleased to see his name included in Mosimane’s squad, given their history at Sundowns.

“When I saw on the list I was in camp (with Sundowns), it made me so happy to be included. The coach knows me, he saw me when I was 16. I was not surprised, I know he believes in me, he gave me my opportunity at Sundowns also.”

Mosimane has also been impressed by Mailula’s ability to establish himself in a star-studded Sundowns squad following his return.

“For him to crack the starting line-up at a star-studded Sundowns and claim the position shows he is not sitting on his laurels,” said the Bafana head coach.

“He has the humility and maturity to understand that he has to make it, by hook or by crook.”

Bafana begin their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign against Guinea at Orlando Stadium on Saturday before facing Eritrea in Egypt four days later.

They will then meet Egypt in a friendly in Cairo on October 4.