Percy Tau, this way out

A year and then goes. Percy Tau, Al-Ahly’s flagship rookie, will already leave the finalist of the last African Champions League. The Bafana Bafana could rebound in South Africa or Belgium.

While playing in Brighton in the English Premier League, the South African striker joined his compatriot Pitso Mosimane in the « club of the century » last September.

The two men had known each other at the Mamelodi Sundowns (they had been crowned African champions in 2016) and were to extend the domination of the Red Devils on the continent.

Nothing went as planned despite an idyllic start and in particular a victory in the African Super Cup in December before a good Club World Cup in February (third behind Chelsea and Palmeiras).

But the last few months have been catastrophic for the Cairo club with a defeat in the final of a C1 of which he was three-time defending champion. A fatal scenario Mosimane left last June and replaced by the Portuguese Ricardo Soares.

The latter was never able to relieve Al Ahly or count on Percy Tau constantly hurt since.

On Sunday, Al Ahly even finished the championship in a very disappointing third place after another draw against Ismaily (0-0). The Cairenes let slip the title of champion to Zamalek, the great rival, for the second consecutive year.

In one season, Percy Tau will have played 33 matches under the red tunic for 8 goals and 8 assists. His greatest feat will remain his overview of the semi-finals of the Champions League against the Algerians of Sétif (4-0; 2-2) last May. The South African leprechaun had been involved in each of his team’s six achievements (2 goals, 4 assists).

Recruited in 2018 by the English from Brighton, Tau had mainly evolved in Belgium in the form of a loan. Elected best player in D2 with Union Saint-Gillosie, he had participated in the conquest of the national title with Bruges in 2019 before joining Anderlecht. The Brussels club would also consider opening its doors to him to complete its workforce.