Mailula speaks of his emotional reaction after Champions League exit

A photo of Cassius Mailula crying after Mamelodi Sundowns’ Caf Champions League exit spoke a thousand words – the young man was shattered. 

ALSO READ: Maela hopes to cap Pirates’ fine season with Nedbank Cup trophy

But he has gotten over the emotions now and says the loss was an expensive experience that they needed and which will groom them to become better players. 

Sundowns were knocked out of the competition in the semifinals after a 2-2 draw against Wydad Casablanca at Loftus Versfeld last weekend.

Wydad advanced on goal difference. Speaking to Marawa Sports Worldwide this week, Mailula has described how he felt after the game.

“I think I was too emotional. I knew from day one that this is what I want, the dream that I always wanted. (Winning the Champions League) is something that I wanted to achieve,” said the 21-year-old attacker.

“I would’ve actually loved to be in the final and win it in my first season with the first team… And actually to lift the trophy with Themba Zwane, Mshishi because it’s one of the things that I said in 2016, it’s something I want to do one day.

Mailula took time to accept result

“But I don’t think it’s over. I think I’ve learnt a lot in this competition. It’s one of those days in football where you have to experience such things and to learn.

“I don’t think I lost in that game, I think it was a very expensive experience. You can’t buy this experience. To experience such (pain)… It was really terrible and I think it took me time to actually realise we’re actually out.

“Even after the final whistle I thought ‘are we going to extra-time?’. But then someone told me ‘no, it’s away goals’.

“That’s why I was so, so emotional because I believed that if we’re going to extra-time, I thought they didn’t have a chance. But that’s what happened.”

Mailula says it took him a while to get over the loss. He credited coach Rulani Mokwena and his mother for calming him down.

“It took me 48 hours to accept it after my mother and the coach called me to try to calm me down, I think that’s when I started to realise that such things happen,” added Mailula.

ALSO READ: Sekhukhune players promised huge bonuses ahead of Cup final

“It has not been easy to be honest, but thanks to the coach and the other coaches who have actually called to check on me and my teammates… 

“And to tell me that, ‘it’s not over, such things happen, you’re still young, you still have time to showcase your talent and win more trophies’,” he said.