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Percy Tau 16-9GOAL
Dingizwe Gwala

Orlando Pirates vs Al Ahly: Percy Tau's return to SA as Bafana Bafana's struggling star hopes to market himself against PSL title hopefuls

GOAL dives into Percy Tau's situation at Al Ahly ahead of the crunchy Caf Champions League tie against Orlando Pirates on Saturday in Soweto.

Well, well, well – look who's back in South Africa! But this time, it’s not with Bafana Bafana, as we're so used to seeing him. After over a year, Percy Tau has returned, and this time it's on business at club level with the Egyptian powerhouses, Al Ahly. This weekend, Tau will face off against Orlando Pirates, in a much-anticipated Champions League showdown.

The two Group B giants will clash at Orlando Stadium on Saturday night, and one man who will undoubtedly be in the spotlight is Tau. However, despite his immense talent, Tau has not been in the good books of Al Ahly’s head coach, Marcel Koller. The former Anderlecht striker has found himself on the receiving end of Koller’s tough approach, making his future at the club uncertain. With just six months left on his contract, there has been no official word from Al Ahly about their intentions regarding Tau’s future.

This means that Tau now finds himself in a position where he could sign a pre-contract with any team. But for now, all eyes are on the upcoming Champions League clash, as Tau's focus shifts to the task at hand. The question remains: what does the future hold for the 30-year-old? With his limited involvement in recent Bafana Bafana squads, there is growing concern over his international prospects as well.

Join GOAL as we delve into what’s next for Tau, both at club level and with his national team aspirations, as he prepares for a crucial encounter against the Buccaneers.

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  • Peter Shalulile & Percy Tau, Mamelodi Sundowns vs Al AhlyBackpagepix

    Been there, done that

    This isn't Percy Tau's first encounter with a South African side in the Champions League. The talented forward has already faced off against his former club, Mamelodi Sundowns. In November of last year, Tau played and even scored in a memorable Champions League clash at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, though Al Ahly was defeated 5-2. While the prospect of playing on home soil might seem like a significant homecoming, it’s unlikely to weigh heavily on his shoulders. After all, he’s been there, done that. However, the pressure to perform - especially in front of his home crowd - will always be present.

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  • Percy Tau, Al AhlyBackpage

    Uncertainty around his playing time

    Even though there are some key battles already marked out - the disappointing reality, however, is that Tau might not even feature in the upcoming match against the Buccaneers. Reports suggest a strained relationship between Tau and Al Ahly's coach, Koller, leading to limited playing time. While Tau did make an appearance in the club’s last five matches, playing 71 minutes in the Egyptian Premier League on December 1, his involvement has been sporadic. Before that, he had only appeared as a substitute, making brief cameo appearances. With all eyes on him, as he returns to Mzansi, there’s a possibility that Koller might choose to keep him on the bench.

  • Nasreddine Nabi and Kaizer Motaung Jr of Kaizer Chiefs GOAL GFX

    No word from Chiefs, Zamalek

    There has been little official communication regarding Tau's future, especially with some speculating a possible move. Rumors circulating from Zamalek sources indicate that the Egyptian club is not interested in pursuing Tau, despite his situation at Al Ahly being far from clear. Tau's experience and pedigree ensure that he won't lack suitors, both locally and internationally. Kaizer Chiefs' name has frequently come up in discussions surrounding Tau's potential move, but as of now, there's been no indication that the Soweto giants have made a formal approach.

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  • Hugo Broos, Percy Tau, South AfricaGetty Images

    Bafana career revival on the cards

    Tau’s exclusion from recent Bafana Bafana squads by coach Hugo Broos has left his international future hanging in the balance. It’s now up to Tau to prove to Broos that he still has what it takes to earn a spot back in the national team. Who knows - Broos might be at the Orlando Stadium this Saturday, hoping to catch Tau in action for his club and assess whether he deserves another chance with the national side. If Tau is selected, he must seize the opportunity to perform at his best and silence any critics who may have written him off.

  • Percy Tau, Al AhlyPercy Tau

    Saudi Arabia always an option

    Tau is no stranger to change, having played for seven different teams since 2018. His willingness to embrace new challenges was clear when he left European football to return to Africa, moving from Brighton & Hove Albion to Al Ahly. Given the current uncertainty surrounding his future at the Egyptian club, it’s not out of the question that a move to the Gulf region could be on the horizon. With his pedigree, Tau is sure to be an attractive proposition for teams in Saudi Arabia or other countries in the region, if the right offer comes, he may not hesitate to make yet another move.

  • Percy Tau, Al AhlyBackpage

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