Finding the next chapter for Mailula

BEFORE there was Relebohile Mofokeng, there was Cassius Mailula. Following a breakout season at Mamelodi Sundowns, Mailula was tipped to set not only domestic football but the international stage alight.

- MIHLALI BALEKA

Immediately after that dazzling debut season, Mailula earned a high-profile move to MLS side Toronto FC.

While the local football fraternity celebrated his growth, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos offered a cautionary tale, lamenting that the move was “too soon” and warning that Mailula would struggle for game time given the fierce competition in his position.

Broos’ prediction proved prophetic. Mailula made only a handful of appearances for the Toronto first team and spent the last two seasons on loan at Wydad Casablanca and K.V. Kortrijk — where he flourished and stumbled, respectively.

Now a free agent after mutually parting ways with Toronto, Mailula is eyeing a path to redemption and self-discovery. We look at the options the talented forward can explore to revive his career.

Option 1: Remain in Europe