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Cassius Mailula’s dream return seals extra-time MTN8 thriller for Mamelodi Sundowns at Lucas Moripe DOMESTIC FOOTBALL Cassius Mailula of Mamelodi Sundowns celebrates his goal during 2026 MTN8 match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Polokwane City at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on 08 August 2026. Image: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix MTN8 Quarter-Final Mamelodi Sundowns (2) 3 Mokoena 20’, Van Wyk 30’, Mailula 113' Polokwane City (2) 2 Dlamini 7’, Molokwane 60’ Cassius Mailula enjoyed a dream return to the Masandawana with a second half extra-time winner to send Mamelodi Sundowns into the MTN8 semi-final at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday evening. Mailula, who left Sundowns at the end of the 2022/23 campign to join Major League Soccer side Toronto FC before moving to Wydad Casablanca and KV Kortrijk on loan in the last two seasons, delivered a timely strike after Polokwane City pushed the African champions to the limit. It was always going to be interesting to see how Sundowns, who didn’t take to the field on the opening weekend of the Betway Premiership, would shape up after the untimely death of their former teammate Jayden Adams last month. The African champions will undoubtedly be filled with extreme emotions throughout the season, and even more so on a night where Adams' parents were in the stands, and their minds still seemed to be elsewhere in the sixth minute when they failed to effectively clear a corner kick.That allowed Bonginkosi Dlamini, who controlled the ball perfectly amidst a crowd of bodies in the area, to fire past Ronwen Williams into the far corner to hand the visitors the lead. Conceding the early goal seemed to be the shock Sundowns needed to awaken from their state of mourning, as they quickly realised that the best way to honour Adams was to return to the free-flowing style that Masandawana are renowned for. And it was talisman Teboho Mokoena who led the way. The Bafana Bafana Fifa World Cup hero levelled matters in the 20th minute after controlling a cross from Antonio Van Wyk before drilling home a thunderous shot into the Polokwane net. Off-season signing Van Wyk, the latest former Stellenbosch FC star to move up to Chloorkop, enjoyed an impressive debut for his new club and quickly went from provider to goalscorer when he opened his Sundowns account with a timely strike on the half-hour mark. Sundowns should have extended their 2-1 lead when Fawaaz Basadien, who made a rare start under coach Miguel Cardoso, showed off his skill down the left flank before delivering a beautifully weighted cross that found an advancing Mokoena unmarked inside the six-yard area. Mokoena, though, could not provide the necessary finishing touch as he ballooned his header over the bar. Basadien was certainly relishing being back out on the park after precious little game time last season, and the Bafana wingback went on a marauding forward run shortly after halftime before unleashing a shot that skimmed the Polokwane crossbar. But it was Rise and Shine that once again silenced the Lucas Moripe Stadium when Tidimalo Molokwane restored parity with an equaliser against the run of play, just as Sundowns appeared to have control. This prompted Sundowns coach Cardoso to ring the changes, making an initial triple substitution that saw the former Stellies trio of Basadien, Van Wyk, and Iqraam Rayners make way for Cassius Mailula, Kutlwano Letlhaku, and Aubrey Modiba. The Portuguese tactician further shuffled his deck with the introduction of Lebo Mothiba for Bennet Mokoena with seven minutes remaining, before the match headed into extra time. Ultimately, it was Mailula that made the telling difference when Sundowns needed it most on an emotional night for the Masandawana. Related Topics: