Mailula confident he belongs in South Africa’s national team

Cassius Mailula says he has never doubted that his ability was good enough to earn a place in the South Africa squad.

The Mamelodi Sundowns forward has returned to the senior national team three-and-a-half years after winning his two international caps.

His recall comes as Pitso Mosimane begins another spell as Bafana Bafana manager, with the 2027 AFCON qualifiers getting under way.

“I have always believed that I belong to the national team because of the quality that I have,” said Mailula, who has played in Canada, Morocco and Belgium in recent years.

The 24-year-old was also selected by Mosimane’s predecessor Hugo Broos, but was unable to establish himself at club level at the time.

“Even with the previous coach (Hugo Broos) I was called up but unfortunately things didn’t work out the way I wanted to because I was not playing at my club,” he said.

“And also, it shows that it doesn’t matter who you are, you need to play at club level to earn a call up.

“So, for me now coming back home to South Africa to start playing more games gave me a lot of confidence that if you do well especially knowing that I’m playing for a big club and do well you have a chance to come back to the national team.”

Mailula’s return has added significance because Mosimane was his coach at Mamelodi Sundowns and first worked with him when he was a teenager.

“The coach knows me, he saw me when I was 16 years old and that made me so happy,” Mailula said.

“So, I was not even surprised because I know that he believes in me.

“He gave me an opportunity to be at Sundowns.”

Mailula said he understood what had helped him reach the national team and that he needed to maintain the same standards under Mosimane.

“I know what has brought me to be where I am,” he said.

“It is just to continue doing the same things, work hard and having the right attitude.

“I know that he (Mosimane) demands a lot from his players so now is just to continue doing what I know he wants from me.”

The forward also believes the setbacks he experienced while away from the national team helped him mature.

“I think what helped me a lot to mature is what I went through,” he said.

“I know the pain of not being able to be chosen so now I’m so grateful that I’m chosen to represent my country.

“It is just for me to enjoy this moment and embrace it, to feel free, to be happy to play football again, and just to represent him because when I do well, he also does well,” Mailula added.

Photo: Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images