Sundowns: Cassius Mailula, South Africa's new attraction

Cassius Mailula could well be South Africa's star of the next few years. The Mamelodi Sundowns player has lit up the 2022-2023 season with his talent. He has already scored 12 goals in all competitions. And in the South African league, he has 7 goals and 3 assists in just 11 games. In the CAF Champions League, he notably struck a brace on matchday 2 against Coton Sport. Those performances are prompting clubs to move for the 21-year-old. Not in Africa, but in Europe.

Cassius Mailula's agent revealed it to KickOff. "We have had some interest but nothing to report at the moment," he said at first. And then he added: "The interest is specifically from France. To be honest, we have had few enquiries from France. So the interest comes from France, but unfortunately I am not at liberty to share the name of the club. That is because it is still sensitive (the matter). So, for the moment, that is all I can say."

Finally a Bafana Bafana call-up?

"But the interest is there, and it comes from the top division (Ligue 1) in France. It seems his name has come up at more than one club there." While he is tearing it up at club level, Cassius Mailula has not yet been given his chance with the South Africa national team. He has in fact still not won a single cap for Bafana Bafana.

There is no doubt his followers will be closely scanning the next squad list from Hugo Broos in March, for the 2023 AFCON qualifiers. But there is also no doubt that between now and then, Cassius Mailula will keep fighting to earn a place in the national team. After all, when you are named Cassius in the world of sport, you have to be a fighter, don't you?