Percy Tau, the 30-year-old striker for Bafana Bafana and Al Ahly, has faced a challenging period since the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) earlier this year.
Once a standout performer, Tau has had a rough nine months, marked by inconsistent form and mounting criticism from fans.
Challenges Since AFCON
Despite his reputation and past successes with Mamelodi Sundowns, Tau has struggled to find his rhythm.
He managed only one goal, a penalty, and failed to make a significant impact during the continental tournament.
This led to considerable backlash from South African soccer supporters.
Tau Reflects on His Performance
In a candid interview with KickOff, Tau opened up about his performance during AFCON.
He expressed a commitment to working hard and earning a spot on the team.
“I know I will work hard to push the coach to select me and for me to play. So ya, I will come back and I’ll play, South Africans will be happy,” he said.
However, Tau also touched on the challenges he faced with his positioning.
“Sometimes they [South Africans] also have to understand that when I had to play left winger [at the AFCON], I wish they would understand that Percy is not a good left winger,” he explained.
Positioning Issues and Coaching Decisions
Tau recalled his previous experiences with the left wing position, noting a similar issue at Sundowns.
“They’ve seen it, at Sundowns I played (left winger) in a game against Platinum Stars and I never played that position again.
I went to have a chat with coach Pitso, and I said, ‘Hey coach, that side on the left is a no-no, at least try me in another position,’” he revealed.
During the AFCON, Tau’s position was a topic of discussion with coach Stuart Baxter.
“Even with the national team, the last time I played left wing, it was in the AFCON against Namibia.
After that game, I sat down with coach Stuart [Baxter] and he said ‘nope, this is not what I want from you so how about you go on the mother side or as a ten’ and said I’d be happy with that,” he added.
The Impact on Performance
Tau’s struggles were evident during Bafana Bafana’s AFCON opener, where he missed a crucial penalty against Mali, leading to a 2-0 loss.
Although he scored the opener in the next match against Namibia, he felt the pressure and the impact of playing in an unfamiliar role.
“At the AFCON, I felt we could do something special and if I needed to maybe play an uncomfortable position I played it. But I had support.
Even the guys were asking me, ‘Hey Percy what’s happening?’ and I told them that I’m struggling on that left side but we had no one else,” Tau recounted.
Looking Ahead
Since the AFCON, Tau’s performance has remained inconsistent.
He has faced challenges both with Bafana Bafana’s World Cup qualifiers and with his club, Al Ahly.
Despite the setbacks, Tau remains determined to overcome these obstacles and return to top form.
What’s next for Percy Tau? Only time will tell if he can regain his confidence and find his place back in the spotlight.
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