TUT helped turn my career around - North America bound Cassius Mailula

Mailula is waiting for his Visa and other paperwork before his move to Major League Soccer (MLS) side Toronto FC can be finalized and made official.

He has spent the past few days visiting his former Limpopo School of Excellence Academy and now TUT, to thank them for having played a role in developing his talent. Mailula says TUT played a key role in his football development.

"It was actually emotional and encouraging because I didn't actually think they will do that for me. It feels so amazing to be recognised and to actually have done a farewell. I'm so happy, I'm so excited and I'm proud to be here because this is where it all started where I got my confidence back. I got to be in good shape because they helped me," Mailula said.

"Not a lot of people come back and go to where they started. Where they were struggling and to come here it's such an amazing feeling. I just want to thank the university, the technical team, and the coaches, for making this day such an amazing day."

SABC Sport revealed Toronto FC as the team that’s signing Mailula, who already has two international caps. It was also the public broadcaster that exclusively reported last week that Sundowns have been made a good offer of R40 million by the Canadian club.

Mailula says when he came to TUT, he almost gave up on football and wanted to focus on academics but he says through the support system at this institution, he became a better player and equally a good student as well.

"It has been great because they've prepared me mentally, physically as well because I was in good shape. I was actually ready for any challenge that I was gonna face going back to Sundowns," he added.

"I think they have helped me a lot because I was going through a lot. I was going through a phase where I wanted to give up. I wanted to just go to school. They've helped me to realise that it's possible that you focus on your school work and also on your football career.

It's not easy sometimes but I think it has helped me because when I went back to Sundowns, I was able to play my football and just enjoy football without having to stress about my academics. 

It's one thing that I'll always be grateful for and I'll always be proud for making my time to go to school because today I'm able to cope at Sundowns without having to stress about my academics."