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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Toronto loans Mailula to their reserve side</li><li>The former Sundowns scored in Toronto's cup game</li><li>The Bafana star made one appearance for the MLS side</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Former Mamelodi Sundowns star Cassius Mailula demoted to Toronto FC reserve team

Major League Soccer club Toronto FC has announced they have loaned former Mamelodi Sundowns star Cassius Mailula to their reserve side.The Bafana Bafana striker has been struggling to get into John Herdman's team's starting line-up and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/bad-news-for-cassius-mailula-bernardeschi-and-insigne-s-level-is-just-too-high-toronto-coach-herdman-on-why-bafana-bafana-forward-is-yet-to-play-this-season/blt24630fcead672584" target="_blank">has faced criticism of his levels from the coach</a>. The club announced the unexpected decision on Monday, stating that they can recall him to the club's first team at any given time during the MLS regular season.

WHAT HAPPENED?

''Toronto FC announced today that the club has loaned forward Cassius Mailula to Toronto FC II ahead of this afternoon’s match against Orlando City B at Osceola Heritage Park,'' <a href="https://www.torontofc.ca/tfc2/news/toronto-fc-loan-cassius-mailula-to-toronto-fc-ii" target="_blank">the club's statement reads.</a>''Toronto FC retains the right to recall the player at any time during the MLS regular season.''

WHAT WAS SAID

Mailula made his first appearance in 2024 and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/bafana-bafana-s-cassius-mailula-fires-in-maiden-goal-as-toronto-fc-keep-champions-league-hopes-alive/blt67f1a4a7e99beaac" target="_blank">scored in the club's 5-0 win over Simcoe County Rovers</a> in a Canadian Championship match.Nonetheless, that seemed not enough for the coach as he loaned him to the club’s B team which competes in the MLS Next Generation League.Coach Herdman has also recently insisted that 'Cash no Deposit' as the young star is affectionately known, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/bad-news-for-cassius-mailula-bernardeschi-and-insigne-s-level-is-just-too-high-toronto-coach-herdman-on-why-bafana-bafana-forward-is-yet-to-play-this-season/blt24630fcead672584" target="_blank">will not find it easy to make a breakthrough into his squad due to tough competition</a>.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The future of Mailula at Toronto is seemingly in doubt, as he would surely have expected to at least break into the match day squad by now. The 22-year-old star will now have to convince the senior team mentor he deserves a chance in the first team while playing in the reserve side.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR MAILULA?

Former Mamelodi Sundowns star Cassius Mailula demoted to Toronto FC reserve team | Goal.com

The South African made only five appearances for the MLS side since completing his move from the Rhulani Mokwena-led team in July 2023.

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