Bafana Bafana forward Percy Tau is once again under scrutiny, with former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye openly criticizing his recent performances.

Once a standout player who carried the national team on his shoulders, Tau has struggled to replicate his past form in the South African jersey.

His recent display against Lesotho only added to the growing concerns about his effectiveness on the field.

A Senior Player Who Needs to Step Up

Khanye did not hold back in his assessment, emphasizing that Tau, as a senior player, must take responsibility.

According to Khanye, the 30-year-old forward no longer exhibits the same spark that made him a key player five years ago.

“Every time Percy plays for us, he looks ordinary,” Khanye remarked, as quoted by KickOff.

“He needs to accept that he is no longer the young, dynamic player he once was.

Instead of trying too hard, he should focus on keeping things simple and contributing effectively to the team.”

Tactical Issues and Poor Decision-Making

Khanye believes Tau’s current struggles stem from his approach to the game.

Rather than making intelligent plays around the box and supporting the team’s strikers, he appears to be running aimlessly across the pitch.

“As a number 10, his job is to position himself inside the box and help the striker, Lyle Foster,” Khanye explained.

“But instead, Percy is losing possession too often, playing as if he is still 17 years old. That approach is not working anymore.”

Goal Drought and Disappointing Performances

Tau’s lack of goals has only intensified the scrutiny.

The last time he found the back of the net for Bafana Bafana was 14 months ago, scoring a penalty against Namibia in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Since then, he has failed to make a significant impact in front of goal.

“I was very disappointed with his performance,” Khanye admitted.

“And to make things worse, the coach kept him on the pitch for too long. He should not have come back after halftime.”

Should Tau Still Be in the Squad?

Khanye raised an important question about Tau’s continued inclusion in the national team.

While experience is valuable, he believes form should be the key factor in squad selection.

With emerging talents like Relebohile Mofokeng and Themba Zwane available, is it still justified to call up an out-of-form Tau?

“In football, you don’t just demand a spot in the team—you earn it,” Khanye concluded.

“We can’t let wins against weaker teams blind us to the fact that some players are simply not performing at the required level.”