With the fraternity awaiting an update on the potential overseas move for Mamelodi Sundowns' young star Cassius Mailula, the club is being commended for supporting the possible move.
The Brazilians confirmed on Monday that they have been in discussions with a North American club that has expressed interest in signing Mailula.
The defending DStv Premiership champions further stated that they support the 22-year-old attacker's potential move.
"Mamelodi Sundowns has been in discussions with a North American football club that expressed interest in acquiring the services of Cassius Mailula. Sundowns is proud of Cassius Mailula who joined the Mamelodi Sundowns Academy as a 13-year-old and was developed and nurtured by the Sundowns coaches. Mamelodi Sundowns will make further announcements concerning Cassius Mailula in due course," Sundowns confirmed in their statement.
The Good
Mailula scored 15 goals from 31 appearances in all competitions in the 2022/23 season, including his six strikes in the CAF Champions League. He further added four assists to his impressive numbers.
The attacker's performances saw him also being called up to Bafana Bafana by coach Hugo Broos although the Belgian mentor said he didn't think the player was ready to play overseas when asked about it earlier this year.
The Bad
While Sundowns have opted not to reveal the name of the club where Mailula is likely to sign, indications are that the player could be heading to Toronto FC, which is a Major League Soccer side from Canada.
The team hasn't had the best of seasons, having managed occupying 14th place thus far in the MLS though Mailula's arrival could be what they need to improve their season with his high work-rate.
What Broos said
In March, before he handed Mailula his Bafana Bafana debut during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Liberia as the South African senior national team went on to qualify for the tournament to be staged in Ivory Coast next year, Broos was unmoved in his stance that the rising star wasn't ready for an overseas move.
"When I look at him and his behaviour in the group, it's very good. He is a guy with two feet on the ground, even though there are a lot of things to do with him, he is very cool. I like him very much. But I said it a few days ago when somebody asked if he is ready for Europe. I will repeat again, no. Mailula is not ready. He needs to have more experience and I hope he will stay at Sundowns and play again in the Champions League next season," the coach said at the time.
Speaking to the Siya crew, former Kaizer Chiefs coach Sergio dos Santos said Broos' comments might have been blown out of proportion.
"When Broos made the comment that he doesn't believe the Sundowns youngster Mailula is ready to go overseas, the boy had a point to prove to the coach. I remember after the coach made the comments, the player was then given a chance at Bafana and when he came on full on fire. And why did he come on full on fire, it's because he knew that he had to do the job. In a way, the coach motivated the youngster by saying what he said," said Dos Santos.
The Ugly
"Sometimes people read what the coach says and interpret it differently to what the coach actually wants. The coach motivated the boy and that's why he was on fire when he was given a chance to play by the same coach who made those comments. That was very important," concluded Dos Santos.
Would a move to North America help Mailula to improve?
