When veteran goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene gave this interview about his Mamelodi Sundowns teammate Cassius Mailula, the young striker had managed 16 goal contributions from 18 matches in his breakthrough season.
Mailula has made the most of his maiden campaign in the top flight after he graduated from the development academy at Chloorkop, reaching double figures and becoming the club's go-to forward while two senior players were out injured.
It looked like tragedy had struck when Peter Shalulile and Abubeker Nassir were ruled out with long-term injuries before the World Cup in Qatar, prompting reports that Sundowns could go shopping for another striker.
Mailula was already slowly being introduced, but the general feeling from those who did not quite know what he was capable of - was that the kid from Ga-Molepo in Limpopo would find the responsibility too daunting to handle.
But fast-forward six months and the 21-year-old has produced decisive performances against Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League.
Mweene forecasts a bright future having seen several young players blossom at Sundowns since his arrival at the club in 2013.
"I think he's not the first one. When we got to Sundowns the younger ones who also joined the team were Khama Billiat, Bongani Zungu and Percy Tau. I'm just happy that all those young ones that I'm talking about are still playing now, and look at what they have achieved," the Zambian goalkeeper said.
How will experienced players like Mweene keep Mailula from getting carried away?
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Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Soccer Club.
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EUROPEAN KINGS
WINNING THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST HONOURS IN WORLD FOOTBALL AND ONLY A HANDFUL OF PLAYERS HAVE WON IT MORE THAN ONCE
GOAL-SHY
THE GOALS ARE DRYING UP IN THE DSTV PREMIERSHIP AND WE COULD YET BE IN FOR A RECORD LOW THIS CAMPAIGN
LIKE FATHER LIKE SON
SURPRISE RALANI IS A TOP TALENT IN THE LOCAL GAME, AND HIS SON EMILE WITBOOI COULD BE THE FUTURE OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL
STILL GOING STRONG
GAVIN HUNT IS A STALWART OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL. HE SHARES INSIGHTS INTO HIS STORIED CAREER
JUMPINGSHIP
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS PULLED OFF ONE OF THE SHOCK MOVES IN MANY A SEASON WHEN THEY SIGNED THEMBINKOSI LORCH FROM ORLANDO PIRATES IN JANUARY
TROPHY HUNTERS
WHICH ARE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL CLUBS IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF TROPHIES WON?
TIME TO SHINE
REEVE FROSLER COULD BE AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF THE PUZZLE FOR CLUB AND COUNTRY IN THE FUTURE
BAFANA TO THE DUGOUT
WHICH FORMER BAFANA BAFANA PLAYERS HAVE MADE THE TRANSITION TO TOP COACHES?
MORE THAN A GAME
TWO GIANTS COLLIDE WHEN REAL MADRID HOST BARCELONA IN LALIGA'S 'EL CLÁSICO' ON 21 APRIL
BIG SPENDING
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS MAY NOT HAVE ALWAYS GOT IT RIGHT IN THE TRANSFER MARKET, BUT THEY HAVE RESHAPED THE SOUTH AFRICAN SYSTEM IN THE PAST 20 YEARS.