Mailula marks Sundowns return with winning goal in MTN8 quarter-final

Mamelodi Sundowns striker Cassius Mailula marked his return to the club by scoring the winning goal in a 3-2 victory over Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-finals.

The 25-year-old came off the bench to settle the game over the weekend, completing an emotional return to the club where he began his professional career.

Mailula, who was born in Limpopo, rejoined Sundowns last month after spending two years away from the club. He said scoring on his return had given him a feeling he had rarely experienced before, particularly because his goal helped the team progress in the competition.

“Feels good to be back home,” said Mailula on Mamelodi Sundowns TV.

“Very, very amazing feeling; I think it’s actually the best feeling because I also helped the team you know. It shows that I’m actually here to help the team and continue to contribute to the success of the team.

“For me, it’s just to continue scoring helping the team. I actually want to win trophies. You know, for me, it’s just to go all out to win all the trophies to also score more goals. You know, yeah, that’s it.”

Mailula first established himself in the Mamelodi Sundowns first team during the 2022/23 season. He scored 15 goals in 31 appearances in his first campaign with the Brazilians, performances which led to a move to Toronto FC in Major League Soccer the following term.

However, he struggled to secure regular game time in the United States. Toronto FC subsequently sent him on loan to Wydad Athletic Club before he moved to Belgium for another loan spell with KV Kortrijk.

His return to South Africa came after his contract with Toronto FC, which had been due to run until December 2026, was mutually terminated.

Mailula’s decisive contribution against Polokwane City has given him an early opportunity to re-establish himself at Sundowns. Having returned to the club only last month, he now wants to focus on scoring more goals and helping the team compete for silverware.

The forward said his ambitions were not limited to individual success. His priority, he explained, was to make a sustained contribution to Sundowns and help the club win every trophy available to them.

Mailula’s goal came as Sundowns secured a 3-2 win in the MTN8 quarter-finals, with the striker beginning the match among the substitutes before making his impact from the bench.