Cassius Mailula's camp don't want to be drawn into comments made by Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos regarding the talented player's exclusion from the national team, the Siya crew has been reliably informed.
With Bafana preparing for the upcoming two FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda, Broos has stated that Mailula is not in his plans for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations that is scheduled to start in Ivory Coast in January.
Read: Another Bucs Star Called Up By Bafana, 2 Downs Stars Withdraw
The outspoken Belgian isn't pleased that the former Mamelodi Sundowns star hasn't been playing regularly for MLS side Toronto FC since joining them in July.
The 22-year-old has made just three appearances and all of those were as a substitute in the USA and he has been an understudy to international stars in Lorenzo Insigne, Deandre Kerr and Federico Bernardeschi.
"We followed them (Toronto) last week and I am disappointed he was not in the team. Let's hope it will change for him next season. Mailula is a problem. Competition is finished now in the US and what is he going to do?" asked Broos.
"We also have problems with Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Njabulo Blom because competition has stopped, and they have to train. It will be difficult because he nearly didn't play. I know it is difficult for younger players when there is a team that tries to take them, and they put some (financial) figures in front of them. It is difficult to say 'no' if the figures are much higher than what you are getting, but I am convinced it is agents who will tell you to go. Agents have to see that younger players have to play," said Broos, as quoted by TimesLive.
"You transfer a player with 16 PSL games in his legs to Toronto, who have two Italian internationals like Insigne and Bernardeschi, and Canadian international Kerr, he doesn't have much chance to play. It is a pity for Mailula because the progress he made with Mamelodi Sundowns last year has been cut with a scissor. We have to wait for him for next season in America and see how he is doing," the tactician said.
Read – Advice To Khune: 'He Must Start Working As If He Is 22'
An insider has revealed that Mailula's camp hasn't been pleased with the coach's comments but wouldn't want to engage in any running commentary about it.
"The player's camp won't say anything with regards to the comments made by the national team coach. They don't want to be drawn into it and they feel that it's just the coach's opinion and would like to leave it at that," said the source.
