Sundowns attacker Mailula and Pirates star Lungu lauded: They have surprised me!

Former Mamelodi Sundowns striker and the 2026 MTN8 Ambassador Rodney Ramagalela is surprised by the impact Downs attacker Cassius Mailula and Orlando Pirates winger Ghampani Lungu have had.

Mailula rejoined Masandawana from Toronto FC after failing to settle in the Major League Soccer. Even loan moves to Wydad Athletic Club and Kortrijk couldn’t make him deliver in America. Eventually, the 25-year-old returned home where he has already scored four goals in 11 outings.

Lungu signed for the Sea Robbers from Siwelele, and the winger has already shown his worth. The Zambia international has five goals and an assist in the 10 games he has played across all competitions.

Ahead of the MTN8 final between Sundowns and Pirates on Saturday, October 10, Ramagalela has praised the duo who has been doing well.

Why Mailula and Lungu have been lauded

“I think one is Cassius Mailula. I wasn’t expecting him to come back and be the same player or even more than he was when he left Sundowns. I think he has grown so much, and he’s giving Sundowns so much,” he told iDiski Times.

“You will find him when Sundowns is building; he’s going to touch the ball, go back to the front line.

“And there is Ghampani Lungu for me; I didn’t expect him to go to Orlando Pirates and fit like that. And he’s one player that has been giving Orlando Pirates so much when they have counterattacks, when they are defending, with [Kamogelo] Sebelebele complementing his runs, and it’s something that Orlando Pirates needed.

“He’s one that surprised me to see him going there and playing every day,” Ramagalela concluded.

Pirates have won the last four editions and are hoping to make it five in a row.