Cassius Mailula Reveals Why He Wanted to Return Home to Sundowns After Difficult Spell Abroad
- Cassius Mailula has opened up about the difficult journey that took him abroad and eventually brought him back to South African football
- The Mamelodi Sundowns forward has reflected on his time overseas, with his latest comments offering a glimpse into what he experienced
- Mailula's return to the PSL comes after a turbulent period in his career, but the forward has now explained what he learned along the way
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Cassius Mailula has revealed that his return to the PSL came after a difficult spell abroad left him wanting to feel valued and wanted again.
The 25-year-old, speaking on Metro FM’s Sports Night Amplified with Andile Ncube, reflected on the past three seasons and the challenges he faced after leaving Mamelodi Sundowns for Toronto FC.
Mailula later spent time on loan at Belgian club KV Kortrijk before returning to South Africa.
"It was not an easy period in Belgium but I think I'm happy that I got the experience, I got to learn a lot in that environment," Mailula said according to SABC Sports.
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He acknowledged that his spell in Europe had not been easy, but said he still considered the experience valuable. Mailula noted that playing abroad had allowed him to learn in a different football environment, while also recognising that reaching Europe is an opportunity that relatively few players get during their careers.
Mailula wants clubs to have a clear plan
Mailula said his experience reinforced the importance of knowing exactly how a club intends to use a player.
"From my perspective I think it's a matter of a club having a plan around you, knowing when they want you, how are they going to use you because they know my quality before I come to the club already that's why they wanted me," he explained.
"For me, it's when you want me you need to have a plan on how you are going to use me and also use me to my strength."
Mailula maintained that his ability was never the main issue during the difficult period of his career. Instead, he said he needed regular opportunities to prove himself, adding that his priority was to make the most of any chances that came his way.
He indicated that once given sufficient playing time, he believed he could demonstrate the qualities that had initially attracted clubs to him.
Source: Getty Images
Cassius Mailula reflects on Toronto FC spell
Mailula also suggested he struggled for regular opportunities at Toronto FC.
"Every player wants to do well," he said. "You just don't want to be there just to be on a holiday, you want to contribute to the team."
He recalled making only a handful of appearances, saying:
"Mostly I was always in the team but just not given a chance."
Toronto FC officially recorded the mutual termination of Mailula's contract on 3 July 2026, ending his MLS chapter.
Mailula is now back at Sundowns, where his career in South Africa began to take shape. For the forward, the focus appears to be on making the most of the opportunity he has been given after a turbulent period overseas.
Mailula's return marks another chapter in a career that has taken him from Sundowns to MLS and Belgium before bringing him back to South Africa. His comments suggest that finding the right role and consistent opportunities will be central to his next phase.
Cassius Mailula makes immediate impact for Mamelodi Sundowns
Briefly News also reported that Cassius Mailula had already started making his presence felt after returning to Mamelodi Sundowns for the 2026/27 season.
The forward came off the bench against Kaizer Chiefs and needed just one touch to find the net, cancelling out Langelihle Phili's opener. Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso subsequently praised Mailula's attitude, attacking instincts and ability to make an impact despite limited minutes.
The goal was Mailula's second in three matches after his return, following his strike against Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-final.
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Source: Briefly News
