Mailula says feeling wanted drove Sundowns return after difficult overseas spell

Mamelodi Sundowns striker Cassius Mailula says the need to feel valued again played a major role in his decision to return to the PSL after a challenging period abroad.

The 25-year-old found it difficult to secure regular first-team football at KV Kortrijk, where he was on loan from Toronto FC. The MLS club later released him, allowing Mailula to rejoin Sundowns.

Mailula discussed the events of the past three seasons during an appearance on Metro FM’s Sports Night Amplified with host Andile Ncube, describing the period as a rollercoaster that eventually brought him back home.

“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. I’m just also happy that I got to be in Europe, not a lot of players get that opportunity to go to Europe,” Mailula said.

The forward believes a club must have a clear plan for a player before signing him, particularly when it already understands his qualities.

“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 added.

“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 if you want to use me.

“The rest, you can never doubt the talent, the talent is obviously there. It’s just a matter of getting that opportunity and for me to grab it.”

Mailula also indicated that Toronto FC did not appear to have a defined role for him, despite reportedly paying R30-million to sign him under their U22 initiative.

He said he had wanted to repay the club’s faith by making a meaningful contribution rather than simply being part of the squad.

“Every player wants to do well, obviously when you are in an environment where this is what you’ve always wanted you want to show the world that you can do it and also you want to make sure that the club that brought you to the team, you make sure that you give them something,” Mailula said.

“You just don’t want to be there just to be on a holiday, you want to contribute to the team.”

The striker said his opportunities were limited, despite regularly being included in the team’s matchday group.

“I think it’s three or four games, I’m not quite sure about how many minutes I even got because mostly I was always in the team but just not given a chance, that’s what I’m saying,” he said.

“If you want a player in your club, you bring him and you use him, know how you are going to use him, also for me to know that when I’m coming to the club, how we will work around what I have.”