Former Bafana Bafana, Fulham FC, and Crystal Palace midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi has shared his thoughts about Cassius Mailula whose career has flown under the radar, urging Hugo Broos not to take his eye off the former Mamelodi Sundowns star.
Mailula, the talented youngster who once shone bright at Sundowns, has struggled to find his footing since joining Toronto FC in July 2023.
The 24-year-old, who thrived under Rulani Mokwena at Sundowns, was reduced to a benchwarmer when he joined MLS side Toronto FC, prompting loan moves to Wydad AC in Morocco and now Kortrijk in Belgium’s First Division B.
Despite this, former Bafana Bafana international, Dikgacoi, believes Mailula still has a lot to offer and should be considered for Bafana Bafana selection.
WHAT KAGISHO DIKGACOI SAID ABOUT MAILULA
Dikgacoi, who had a successful career in the English Premier League, told FARPost that Mailula’s age [24] is a positive factor, suggesting he still has plenty of time ahead of him, and urges support for the forward to revive himself.
“For the national team, he’s a very good player and maybe before he had left Sundowns, he wasn’t getting enough exposure or getting enough game time,” Dikgacoi told FARPost.
“But to show that he’s good enough to compete even in the outside world, he’s there playing. It’s not a given that his career took a nosedive, but when you are playing in countries like America, a lot is not being spoken about their football.”
Dikgacoi added: “Maybe you don’t get to hear about his performance and all that. But I think even there, he gave a full account of himself, and then coming back to Africa to play in Morocco [Wydad] – he was one of their best players.
“And, you know, age is still on his side. I do believe he still has a lot to offer for the national team also. I think it would be best if we keep track of such players who are playing in these so-called small countries where a lot is not being said about them, but just to get the feedback and keep everyone in the loop as to how they are performing week in, week out.”
IT ALL DEPENDS ON AMBITION, SAYS DIKGACOI
Asked what it takes to last the distance in Europe, the former midfielder said it borders on an individual’s ambition.
“It all depends on what you want as an individual, whether you want to become big or whether you want to still play abroad, have the same ambitions that you had, because it is never easy.
“But to show that Cassius is still out there, it really means that he has adapted well and is always ready for the fight. And hence, he’s been out of South Africa for some time now, which is good. I hope wherever he’s playing now, he’s currently doing his best. Like I said, he’s someone that I think he still has a lot to offer for the national team.”
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