Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has warned against Cassius Mailula heading to Europe at the end of this season.
Mailula, 21, has enjoyed an incredible debut campaign with Mamelodi Sundowns and has earned a place in the final Bafana squad to face Liberia in the doubleheader this month that could seal their place at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast next year.
With 14 goals and eight assists in 22 games, there’s been reported interest from France in recent weeks but Broos feels his development would be best served playing regularly at Sundowns for one more season before the rigours of European football.
“You have to be careful sending such a player to Europe, honestly he is not ready for Europe now,” Broos said.
“Mailula is doing good but it’s his first season, last year you didn’t see him. Now, he’s broken through [in the first-team], but [to say] he is ready to go to Europe now – when I should advise him to stay one more year at Sundowns.
“[He must] play in the Champions League again, it will be good for his development. Don’t underestimate going to Europe, certainly for a striker – it’s very difficult. So again, he has the potential but don’t take this decision soon.
“I know everyone is [raving] about Mailula, be careful with that, it’s his first season, he’s doing well in the Champions League too and scoring, okay… [but] it’s only seven months, seven months in a team like Sundowns who dominate every game, it’s different.
“Let him get more experience at a high level with Sundowns, they are always in Champions League so let him stay another year, it will be good for him I think.”
South Africa face off against Liberia next Friday at Orlando Stadium before the return fixture in Monrovia four days later.
Source Link Broos Hails High Potential Mailula But Sends Warning Over Future
