Mailula earns Bafana Bafana recall after three-year international absence

Cassius Mailula says he has learned that regular club football, rather than reputation alone, is essential to earning a place in the South Africa squad after returning to the national team for the first time in three years.

Bafana Bafana have begun their preparations at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) for their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying matches.

The team is preparing in Johannesburg under newly appointed head coach Pitso Mosimane for a Group D double-header that will begin against Guinea at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday. South Africa will then travel to Cairo, Egypt, to face Eritrea four days later.

Mailula is one of the most notable selections in Mosimane’s 30-man squad. The Mamelodi Sundowns forward, now 25, has secured his return after rebuilding his form following a difficult spell in Major League Soccer.

The striker returned to Chloorkop in August 2026 and has scored four goals in 11 appearances across all competitions this season. One of those goals came against Kaizer Chiefs, helping underline his importance as an attacking option for Bafana Bafana.

Mailula first made his senior international debut under former coach Hugo Broos on 24 March 2023, when South Africa faced Liberia at FNB Stadium. His call-up followed a breakthrough domestic campaign in which he won the PSL Young Player of the Season award.

Speaking at a press conference at UJ, Mailula said his perspective had changed since he previously felt his ability should automatically guarantee him a place in the national side.

“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,” he said.

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

Mailula also acknowledged that his lack of club appearances had contributed to his previous difficulties under Broos.

“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.”

He said returning to South Africa and producing consistently for Sundowns had given him a clearer route back into international football.

“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.”

Mailula added that he was delighted when he saw his name included in the squad and said Mosimane’s knowledge of him had made the recall unsurprising.

“When I saw I was 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.”

Bafana Bafana’s match against Guinea is scheduled to kick off at 15:00.