Cassius Mailula earns Miguel Cardoso praise after Sundowns equaliser

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso praised Cassius Mailula after the forward came off the bench to score the equaliser against Kaizer Chiefs.

Mailula, 25, returned to Sundowns ahead of the 2026/27 season, three years after leaving the club for Toronto FC in North America.

The forward was introduced with 15 minutes remaining in the second half and made an immediate impact, finding the net with his first touch. His goal cancelled out the opener scored by Langelihle Phili, who had put Chiefs in front.

The strike was Mailula’s second in three matches. He had also scored against Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-finals.

Cardoso said he was particularly pleased with the way Mailula had responded since returning to Sundowns, highlighting the player’s affection for the club and his positive attitude within the squad.

“He’s a wonderful boy, first of all, that loves the club, loves the group, loves the ambiance,” Cardoso told SuperSport after the game.

“He’s a happy guy, you give him five minutes, he goes happy. That brings usually good things back. I’m so happy because of that.

“He’s a mature player also. He feels the moments. He’s got intuition regarding the goal. Today was beautiful and happy for him, of course.”

Mailula’s equaliser came shortly after his arrival on the pitch and ensured Sundowns responded to the setback of conceding the opening goal.

His return to the club has now produced goals in two of his past three appearances, including the MTN8 quarter-final against Polokwane City and the meeting with Kaizer Chiefs.

Cardoso’s comments also underlined the value he places on Mailula’s character as well as his finishing ability. The Sundowns manager described the forward as someone who enjoys being part of the group and remains content even when given only a short period of playing time.

That attitude, Cardoso suggested, had helped Mailula make an instant contribution in a match in which Sundowns needed a response after Phili had given Chiefs the lead.

Mailula left Sundowns three years ago to join Toronto FC, but his return ahead of the 2026/27 campaign has quickly brought him back into the spotlight. His latest goal means he has already provided two important moments in three games since returning to the club.