Cardoso Declares Mailula’s Impact Since Returning to Sundowns: ‘He’s One of Us’
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has praised Cassius Mailula for his positive attitude and commitment since rejoining the squad, emphasizing that the forward has quickly integrated into the team and is ready to take advantage of opportunities to make impactful contributions when necessary.
Mailula has shown his ability to thrive under pressure. He scored Sundowns’ equalizer in their 1-1 Betway Premiership draw against Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Saturday after coming off the bench.
The forward also clinched a last-minute winner in the MTN8 quarter-final against Polokwane City, further solidifying his importance to the team and his knack for stepping up in crucial moments.
“Cassius is not merely a young player,” remarked Cardoso.
“To begin with, Cassius is someone who exhibited a strong eagerness to return to the club. From his very first training session upon his return, I recognized that ‘This player belongs with us.’
“This clearly shows that he feels at ease here. He injects a lot of energy, hard work, and camaraderie with everyone. Hence, he is happy, and the best part of life is experiencing positive emotions in what you do.
“Cassius will certainly step into the team at the right times. There will be moments when he plays and others when he doesn’t, but he will prove to be a significant asset. This is the mentality we aim to cultivate within the squad.
“Take Fawaaz, he played two matches; on Saturday, he wasn’t even on the bench. Iqraam featured in the previous two games but was benched for the second one. Aubrey wasn’t initially in the starting lineup but made it into the first XI.
“Such scenarios will persist throughout the season because, given the packed schedule, everyone is needed. The more players understand the message and approach it with the right mindset, the better prepared they will be to rise up and contribute positively.
“Cassius embodies that spirit, so he will likely have more reasons to celebrate than to be disappointed,” Cardoso concluded.
Cardoso is relying on Mailula once again as they prepare to face Marumo Gallants in the Betway Premiership match at Loftus Stadium on Wednesday.
