Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso believes Cassius Mailula has the right mindset to make a significant contribution following his return to the club, with the 25-year-old already making an immediate impact.
Mailula is enjoying his second stint with Sundowns after leaving the club in 2023 for Major League Soccer side Toronto FC. His time away from Chloorkop also included loan spells at Wydad AC in Morocco and Belgian side KV Kortrijk before returning to the African champions.
The forward has made the perfect start to his second chapter at Sundowns, scoring twice in his first three appearances, with both goals proving to be game-changing contributions.
His first came as a late winner against Polokwane City in the MTN8, while his second arrived against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday, when he came off the bench to score the equaliser and secure a 1-1 draw for Sundowns.
For Cardoso, however, Mailula’s value extends beyond his goals. The Portuguese coach has been impressed by the attitude and commitment the forward has shown since rejoining the squad.
“Cash is not a youngster. Cash is, first of all, a player that showed a lot of intention to come for the club,” Cardoso said.
The coach revealed that Mailula’s attitude was apparent from his very first training session, with the player quickly appearing comfortable back in familiar surroundings.
“As soon as he came and he started to train, first day I said, this player is ours. It’s clear that the boy feels at home. He shows a lot of energy and commitment and relation with everybody, so he feels happy.”
Cardoso believes that positive emotions and a strong connection with the environment can have a significant impact on a player’s performances.
“No one should go out to work in the morning and don’t like what they do. No one should go, come back home and don’t like the family that they live with. So that brings us joy, brings happiness, and together with that come good things,” he added.
Despite Mailula’s impressive start, Cardoso made it clear that the forward will have to navigate competition for places in a squad packed with quality.
“Cash will for sure enter in the team in the right moments. He will play sometimes, he will not play sometimes, he will give the help,” said Cardoso.
With Sundowns facing a demanding schedule across domestic and continental competitions, the coach stressed that squad rotation will be essential.
“It will happen a lot of those things throughout the season. Because when you play so much in so few days, you need everybody,” Cardoso explained.
Mailula, though, appears to understand that reality. His willingness to embrace the competition for places, combined with his decisive contributions, has given Sundowns another attacking weapon.
For Cardoso, the Limpopo born player’s mindset could prove just as important as his ability in front of goal as the African champions navigate a demanding season.
And with two goals already, “Cash” has given Sundowns an early glimpse of what he can offer in his second spell at Chloorkop.
Written by: Sandile Ndumo
