Former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Katlego Mashego has weighed in on the conversation around Cassius Mailula’s future, advising the 24-year-old to remain in Europe.
Mailula is currently on loan at Belgian Second Division side KV Kortrijk from Toronto FC in the Major League Soccer and has helped Kortrijk gain promotion to the Belgian Pro Jupiler League for next season.
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He has been shipped out on loan twice since moving to Toronto in 2023, first to Wydad Athletic Club and now Kortrijk.
The Limpopo-born forward now finds himself at a crossroads as the Belgian side has an option to sign him permanently.
‘Mahoota’ said for the player’s growth, he recommends the former Sundowns man stays and learn enough to potentially get a bigger move.
“I think for his growth he needs to stay in Europe,” said Mashego on SABC’s Soccerzone.
“I think he needs to stay at that level and Belgium, like we all know, it’s a league where, you know, talent is fast produced. And I think if he stays in that league, he is probably going to become one of the best players.
“But I don’t know what his situation is with Toronto, if he still wants to go back there. But he did well for them and I think his team now in Belgium, got promotion.
“So, I think he should stay there, play in that league, you know learn a little bit, and then grow as a player, and then after that, he can make a bigger move to another big European League.
The 43-year-old added that he doesn’t think that Mailula’s move to the US was a mistake and he understands the sport is not as big that side.
However, the former Bafana Bafana international believes Mailula might have been a bit far in his career if he had moved to a smaller European club first.
“Well, it wasn’t a mistake [moving to the MLS] because a move is a move,” added Mashego.
“I think there’s financial implications in that he probably needed the money, the agents are there as well, playing a different role. So, I think he went to a league where it’s a bit difficult in USA. Football is not viewed as something big.
“I would have preferred for him to go to a smaller team in Europe to grow because at Sundowns he was already doing well. So, he would have maybe by now played, probably for a bigger European club.”
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