Hugo Broos Advises Cassius Mailula to Leave Wydad AC for European Move

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has advised forward Cassius Mailula to eventually aim for a move to Europe, despite the player’s successful stint at Wydad Athletic Club (WAC) in Morocco. Mailula, who is currently on loan from FC Toronto, has found his rhythm at Wydad after a challenging period in North America. Broos, however, remains cautious about Mailula’s current situation and believes a future move to Europe would be more beneficial for his development.

The Journey So Far

Mailula’s career began to take off during his time at Mamelodi Sundowns, where he was promoted by coach Rhulani Mokwena and quickly became one of the team’s standout players. His impressive performances caught the attention of several European clubs, and in a significant career move, he secured a transfer to FC Toronto in North America. However, the move did not go as planned. Mailula struggled to secure regular game time and failed to make the impact expected of him.

A Fresh Start at Wydad AC

After his underwhelming stint in Toronto, Mailula found a lifeline at Wydad AC, where he reunited with his former Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena, who had recently taken over the reins at the Moroccan club. At Wydad, Mailula has rediscovered his form and is now one of the club’s most impactful players, contributing to their strong run in the Botola Pro, where they have lost only once in their last 11 matches.

Broos’ Thoughts on Mailula’s Career

While Broos is pleased with Mailula’s recent form, he has raised concerns about the player’s previous move to Toronto. According to Broos, the decision to join FC Toronto was not ideal for Mailula, given the competition for places in the club’s attack, which featured experienced international strikers. Broos made his thoughts clear, saying:

“You saw with Mailula? I think I said from the first minute what was he going to do in Toronto because I saw immediately that there were two ex-international Italian strikers and a striker from the National Team of America; what was Mailula going to do there?”

Broos believes that the environment at Wydad, under Mokwena’s guidance, has helped Mailula regain his confidence. However, the Bafana Bafana coach insists that Mailula should aim to take the next step in his career by moving to Europe, where he can further his development.

“Now he is at Wydad [Athletic Club] and plays because Rhulani [Mokwena] is there. Maybe he can do the step later again to Europe,” Broos added.

The Bigger Picture

Broos’ comments highlight the importance of Mailula’s development at this critical stage of his career. Having regained his form at Wydad, Mailula is now in a stronger position to make an impact on the international stage for Bafana Bafana. His current form will play a significant role in his inclusion for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Looking Ahead

With Bafana Bafana’s next set of international fixtures on the horizon, Broos will be closely monitoring Mailula’s progress at Wydad. If the forward continues to impress, he could be a key figure in South Africa’s bid for qualification to the 2026 World Cup.

For now, though, Mailula’s immediate future lies in Morocco, where he will continue to work under Rhulani Mokwena and aim to further solidify his place in the Wydad AC starting lineup. However, Broos’ advice could be a pivotal factor in shaping the young forward’s next big move—towards Europe, where the best opportunities for growth may await.