Bafana Bafana vice-captain Percy Tau ready to prove his doubters wrong & vows to 'contribute to the country' - 'Coaches make it seem like I’m 38'

Bafana Bafana vice-captain Percy Tau has been in and out of the national team owing to his club struggles.

On several occasions, he has failed to deliver as expected when given a chance by coach Hugo Broos.

With the performances of Mohau Nkota, Relebohile Mofokeng, Elias Mokwana, Oswin Appollis and others, critics feel Tau's time is done.

The former Al Ahly star is currently a free agent after leaving Qatar SC following the expiry of his contract.

He has since stated that he is ready to play for Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, or any other Premier Soccer League team willing to meet his demands.

Regardless of the outcome, Tau will struggle to get back into the national team owing to stiff competition.

However, the multiple Caf Champions League winner insists he still has what it takes to deliver for Bafana Bafana.

“I still feel that I can contribute to the country; yes, there are performances that put doubts or questions but that does not make you a bad player at all, and it does not change who I am," he told 94.7's MSW.

"My name will never change; I’m still Percy, and I’ll always try and give my best.

"Yes, there are players that are doing well, but then do you only want to have the younger ones only in the national team and take all the other ones?

“Football is a sport where there are phases, you’ll have your lows, you’ll have your highs, but then do we kick him out when he’s having his lows?" Tau continued.

"I don’t feel that should be the approach because we are going to have a problem with what it means to play for the national team.

"And we don’t want that to happen to anyone where they are now starting to feel different about going to the national team, like you only support me when I’m doing well.

“I feel that it should always be balanced. You want to have the younger ones, and you want to have the older ones, and by the way, I’m still 31 years old, the coaches make it seem like I’m 38," Tau concluded.

The main assignment right now is for Tau to get a team before the next international break and prove through his performances that he is still an effective player on the pitch.

Bafana Bafana will return to action when the 2026 Fifa World Cup resumes in September, followed by the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.