Mailula: ‘I wanted to lift Champions League trophy with Themba Zwane’

Cassius Mailula has spoken for the first time following Mamelodi Sundowns’ semi-final exit in the CAF Champions League against Wydad Casablanca on Saturday afternoon. 

Sundowns were knocked out of the Champions League after reigning champions Wydad hung on for a 2-2 draw to progress on away goals at Loftus Versfeld.

Despite retaining the DStv Premiership title, winning it for the sixth- time in a row, the Tshwane giants endured another disappointing campaign in Africa.

Heartbroken by the defeat, youngster Mailula was left in tears and extremely emotional due to a crashed dream of getting to the Champion League final.

Mailula also added that he wanted to lift the prestigious African trophy with Themba Zwane.

“I think I was too emotional. I knew from day one that this is what I wanted, this is a dream that I always wanted,” Mailula told Robert Marawa on MSW. 

Cassius Mailula on CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HEARTBREAK

“This is something that I want to achieve. I would have actually loved to be in the final, win it in my first season with the first team. To lift the trophy with Themba Zwane because it is one of the things, I said in 2016.

“I want to do it one day you know. I don’t think it’s over; I’ve learned a lot in this competition.”

Explaining how he felt after the referee blew the final whistle against Wydad Mailula said: “”It was terrible.

“I thought we were going to extra time. I was told it’s an away goal; that’s why I was so emotional. If we went to extra time, I don’t think they would have had a chance.”

The 21-year-old attacker played a vital role in helping Sundowns reach the semis of the Champions League. He scored six goals and provided an assist in 10 games.

Overall, in the just-ended 2022/23 season, he netted 15 goals and provided four assists.

Story by Joshua Hendricks

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