Cassius Mailula completes move to Belgium, targets Bafana Bafana return
A second chance: Cassius Mailula, who featured at the FIFA Club World Cup for Wydad Casablanca, has sealed a loan move to Belgian second division side KV Kortrijk. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
Former Mamelodi Sundowns star Cassius Mailula aims to hit the ground running at new club KV Kortrijk in order to seal a return to the national team.
Now 24 years old, much was expected from Mailula when he tormented Betway Premiership defenders in the colours of Mamelodi Sundowns. And in 2023, he made his debut for the senior national team in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
However, after moving to Toronto FC, Mailula found himself playing for the club’s second team and unable to get any minutes for the first team, who had just signed Italian international forwards Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi.
Due to his lack of game time, he was dropped by Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos, who believed he was not ready for a move abroad.
Mailula spent last season on loan at Wydad Casablanca, where he rediscovered some of the form from his Sundowns days. It was after impressive for the Moroccan outfit that secured another loan move, this time to the second division Belgium side.
Speaking to the club’s YouTube Channel, Mailula said he wanted to hit the ground running in order to help him make a step up to a bigger team in Europe.
“The reason I chose KV Kortrijk is mainly because it is in Europe and that’s also my dream. I want to play for a big club in Europe and this is a good stepping stone for me to take my career further to a higher level,” said the former Sundowns man.
“Also, the team will give me a chance to get back to Bafana Bafana, the South African national team. I’m really impressed with the way the team plays. It’s something that made me choose this club, they have a winning mentality.
“My ambition here, firstly, is to get back to the First Division with the club and also have as many goals throughout the season and also many assists, that’s my goal. I didn’t just come here for a holiday. I came here to work hard and to represent my family and also my country.
“It means a lot for me to be here, and I know there are a lot of kids who would take this opportunity with both hands.”
After his career hit a snag in North America, Mailula will be hoping to do enough in Belgium to convince Broos to give him another shot in the national team. While the Belgian second division isn't glamorous, it’s a place to for him to rebuild and remind people just what he's capable of.
IOL Sport