After Kaizer Chiefs legend Tefu Mashamaite told Soccer Laduma that Toronto FC forward Cassius Mailula should go out on loan with Mamelodi Sundowns or Amakhosi, we take a look at why such a move would make sense for the South African.
Sundowns would revive Mailula's career and his chances of then making it into Bafana Bafana's squad for next year's AFCON would improve.
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Bafana coach Hugo Broos has suggested that the 22-year-old is no longer in his frame of mind for the squad that will do duty at next year's AFCON, after the forward made only three substitute appearances for Toronto all season.
"We followed them [Toronto] last week and I am disappointed he was not in the team. Let's hope it will change for him next season," Broos told reporters.
"Mailula is a problem. Competition is finished now in the US and what is he going to do? We also have problems with Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Njabulo Blom because competition has stopped and they have to train.
"It is a pity for Mailula because the progress he made with Mamelodi Sundowns last year has been cut with a scissor. We have to wait for him for next season in America and see how he is doing," he added.
However, with the MLS in the winter break, their players are allowed to go out on loan to other clubs around the world, as the league will only resume next year in March.
The Tshwane giants have been in the market for strikers, as admitted by head coach Rulani Mokwena and having Mailula back on loan could suit both parties.
Sundowns recently experienced a striker mini-crisis after Peter Shalulile and Lucas Ribeiro were both out injured and did not play the whole of the African Football League tournament until the final second-leg, where they were risked.
Having Mailula back on loan could help them with their fixture load in December, that also includes CAF Champions League matches and a month of football could revive the 22-year old's chances of making it in the Bafana AFCON squad.
The Brazilians have 10 games to play after the FIFA break until the end of the year and another five games in the month of February, that's exactly half a season by PSL's measure of games in a league campaign.
The Sundowns academy graduate would not need any settling in time, as he already knows the system and even if he's not selected for the Bafana AFCON squad, he could train with the side during the January break and play again in the month of February before returning to the USA, with more confidence, than sitting for months without playing competitively.
This would also give Mailula an opportunity to get back into the South Africa squad for important FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Bafana take on Rwanda away on Tuesday, after beating Benin 2-1 in their opening group game on Saturday.
