Mailula earns Bafana Bafana recall after difficult spell abroad

Cassius Mailula says he always believed he had the quality to return to the Bafana Bafana squad after a difficult three-year period playing abroad.

The forward’s last appearance for South Africa came in March 2023, when he was selected by former coach Hugo Broos. His limited playing time at Toronto FC in Major League Soccer, however, worked against his chances of remaining in the national team.

A loan move to Wydad Casablanca, where he worked under Rulani Mokwena, offered Mailula a promising period, but it did not lead to a recall. His lack of regular football at Belgian club Kortrijk then made a place in the squad even less likely.

Mailula’s return to Mamelodi Sundowns has now changed his situation. After playing more regularly for the South African club, he has been recalled by new Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane.

Despite his lengthy absence from the national team, Mailula said he never stopped believing he belonged at international level.

“I’ve always believed that I belong to the national team because of the quality that I have,” Mailula told the media before a Bafana Bafana training session at the University of Johannesburg on Monday afternoon.

“Even with the previous coach, Broos, I was called up. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out the way I wanted because I was not playing at my club.

“It shows that it doesn’t matter who you are, you need to play at club level to earn your call-up. For me, coming back to South Africa and playing more games, it gave me a lot of confidence that if you do well, you have a chance to come back to the national team.”

‘An amazing feeling’

Mailula said returning to represent South Africa fulfilled a long-held ambition, while also expressing his appreciation for Mosimane’s faith in him.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be back representing my country. It’s always been a dream to represent my national team. I am happy and grateful for this opportunity,” he said.

“When I saw the list, I was actually in camp. It made me so happy to be included, especially with the fact that the coach knows me.

“He saw me when I was 16 years old, so that made me so happy. I was not even surprised because I know that he believes in me. He gave me an opportunity to be at Sundowns.

“I know what has helped me to be where I am. It’s to continue doing the same.”

Bafana Bafana begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifying campaign against Guinea at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

South Africa will then face Eritrea in the second round-robin phase next Wednesday in Egypt.