Percy Tau: Ignored by Hugo Broos at Bafana Bafana, Al Ahly turning blind eye on former Mamelodi Sundowns star - time for 'Lion of Judah' to return to PSL?

Broos made it clear that he is not one to bring on board players who are benchwarmers at their club.

He made strong utterances about Teboho Mokwena when he was sidelined at Mamelodi Sundowns.

With Tau featuring seven times in all competitions this season, and only playing as a sporadic team member - it is clear that his troubles at Al Ahly will forever affect his involvement at Bafana, as players like Evidence Makgopa are preferred over Tau.

At this point, Chiefs need almost every top player available, even though some disagree. It is mind-boggling as to why they have not made any advances on Kermit Erasmus and Bongani Zungu, who have proven track records and are free agents. Amakhosi are not having the start they hoped to have under head coach Nasreddine Nabi, and they could use the injection of an experienced and hungry player like 'The Lion of Judah', who is said to be keen for an exit.

Tau will need little adaptation as he knows the PSL. He is a one-time footballer of the season and his experience of playing in England, Egypt and Belgium might come in handy for the struggling Amakhosi, who are desperate for a different dimension in their attacking line.

When Tau left Sundowns in 2018, it was not the smoothest of transitions but it was not nasty as well. The club were willing to let him go but only at a decent price, which English Premier League side Brighton Hove & Albion coughed up. When negotiations were stalling, Tau did not sulk. He kept on delivering as expected and that left a door open for a possible return.

The time for him to go back 'home' may be now. Downs coach Manqoba Mngqithi knows what Tau is capable of, and with three Caf Champions League crowns, Tau's know-how in Africa may be the missing link in Sundowns' pursuit for continental glory.

In football, like in most sporting codes, it is not unusual to find close relations between a player and a coach. Such a relationship exists between Pitso Mosimane and Tau. The duo began their love story at Sundowns where the latter was promoted into the senior Sundowns team by 'Jingles'.

Tau was sent out on loan and was recalled to become part of the 2016 Champions League winning squad. After more success at Chloorkop, they reunited at The Red Devils and enjoyed further success. Now with Tau's future hanging in the balance, a possibility exists for him to move to the Gulf region where Mosimane is currently coaching Iran outfit Esteghlal.

The answer to this is a tale of a coin - it has two sides. One would say yes, Tau is an integral part of the Bafana set-up. He has been donning the coveted No.10 jersey - an indication of how much he is valued in the national team. He is the highest-scoring player in the national team among all the players who have featured in recent years with 16 goals.

Again, another argument is that he could have scored more goals. He was dismal at the 2023 Afcon - and told to man up. That on its own might be a suggestion that Tau has reached the ceiling in his Bafana career.

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