Ex-Mamelodi Sundowns winger gives brutal 'laughing stock' assessment of the Lion of Judah's Bafana Bafana future - 'Players like Percy Tau, who often go unnoticed on the field shouldn’t wear no. 10'

Percy Tau returned to the Bafana Bafana fold for the first time since June 2024 and started the recently-played 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin.

However, the 30-year-old could not make an impact in the recent matches, triggering debate about his value in the national side.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns winger Joel Masilela feels Tau no longer deserves to wear the number 10 jersey.

"The jersey number 10 is a special jersey that should be worn by a special player," said Masilela as per KickOff. 

"It should be worn by someone who can carry the load, perform miracles on the field, and help the team win at all costs. A player who stands out every time they play. 

"It's a prestigious jersey that should be treated with respect. Remember what the legendary Jomo Sono said about the number 10 jersey. Many failed to understand him. 

"Shoes Moshoeu was the country’s number 10 because he was exceptional. It isn’t a jersey to be worn by just anyone. Players like Percy Tau, who often go unnoticed on the field, shouldn’t wear it," added the ex-Masandawana wideman.

"This situation makes us, as a country, a laughing stock to others, and it suggests we don’t understand the significance of the number 10 jersey in football."

Formerly a national team darling, Tau has been heavily criticised since the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals where he struggled to make an impact despite Bafana claiming bronze at the tournament.

That was followed by coach Hugo Broos excluding him from the national team after going out of form at his former club Al Ahly.

But he was included in the latest Bafana camp after he claimed a move to Qatar SC and started playing regularly again, however he struggled to justify his selection.

That has seen Relebohile Mofokeng being touted as a possible replacement for Tau in the No. 10 jersey after the Orlando Pirates star started the two games against Lesotho and Benin while also grabbing his maiden international goal against Lesotho.

The remaining period of this season as well as the first half of next term is likely to see players trying to improve their performances with places to go to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations at stake.

That presents Tau with an opportunity to perform better for his club Qatar SC and stay in Bafana coach Hugo Broos' plans to give him the opportunity to show his critics he is not finished at international level yet.