Cassius Mailula returns to Bafana Bafana determined to prove his place

Cassius Mailula says he has always believed he belonged in the Bafana Bafana setup after earning a recall for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The 25-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns striker has been included in Pitso Mosimane’s squad after rebuilding his form following a difficult spell abroad. Mailula has scored four goals in 11 appearances for Sundowns in all competitions this season.

He will work under Mosimane again, having been given his first opportunity in the Sundowns senior team by the coach as a teenager.

“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,” Mailula said before Bafana Bafana’s training session at the University of Johannesburg’s UJ Stadium.

His previous international appearance came in March 2023, when he played in two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Liberia under former head coach Hugo Broos.

Mailula moved to Toronto FC later that year, but limited playing time at club level made it difficult for him to maintain his place in the national team. He said, however, that the setback never affected his confidence in his ability.

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

“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.

“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 said his selection carried added significance because of his relationship with Mosimane and the coach’s knowledge of his progress.

“When I saw 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.”

Mosimane said Mailula’s return to form had been underlined by his success in establishing himself in a squad containing several high-profile players.

“For him to crack the starting line-up at a star-studded Sundowns and claim the position shows he is not sitting on his laurels,” said the Bafana Bafana head coach.

“He has the humility and maturity to understand that he has to make it, by hook or by crook.”

Bafana Bafana open their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign against Guinea at Orlando Stadium on Saturday. They then face Eritrea in Egypt four days later, before meeting Egypt in a friendly in Cairo on October 4.