Tau underlines his impact on title charge
● A dazzling run by Bafana Bafana star Percy Tau, which culminated in an equally exquisite volley by his striking partner Khama Billiat, has given Mamelodi Sundowns plenty of ammunition on their march to an eighth Absa Premiership title.
Tau continued to underscore his value in the Brazilians colours when he outclassed and outpaced three Cape Town City players at the Athlone Stadium on Friday night before flicking a well-weighted cross to Billiat to volley home the winner in what was a top-of-the-table clash that had no shortage of drama.
The win — the 12th of the season — saw Sundowns open a seven-point gap between them and City with 10 matches to go.
The precious three points were earned despite Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane being dispatched from the bench in the 28th minute for protesting wildly against some of the questionable decisions by referee Victor Gomes.
Mosimane will miss Sundowns’ next two home matches against Free State Stars and the Tshwane derby against SuperSport United towards the end of the month.
Having played all of their closest rivals in the title race, including Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, Mosimane should fancy his chances of winning a third league title with the Brazilians.
City coach Benni McCarthy, who also watched this match from the stands following his red against local rivals Ajax Cape Town last month, accepted the defeat, but blamed Gomes for poor officiating.
McCarthy in congratulatory mood
“Congratulations to @Masandawana on their win tonight. Unlucky to my boys, brilliant performance and didn’t deserve to lose, but football is about scoring. Yet again bad refereeing is killing our beautiful game,” McCarthy tweeted after the match.
Tau’s man-of-the-match performance on Friday further confirmed why Mosimane has been unwilling to entertain those who feel the 23-year-old is now ripe for a European move. Before the close of the transfer window on Wednesday, Sundowns had received two big-money offers for the services of mercurial attacker Tau.
Russian side FC Rostov tabled an R18-million bid while Danish side FC Midtjylland submitted an undisclosed written offer for the player’s services. Tau has been in scintillating form this season, topping the goal scorers chart at Sundowns with seven goals and seven assists, followed closely by Billiat with six strikes.
Tau was chosen as the PSL’s player of the month in December alongside his coach Mosimane, who encouraged him to press more for such rewards as he was capable to win the player of the season accolade.
Billiat’s goal against City is likely to win some prize, though it is Tau’s mazy run that will remain permanently etched in the minds of those following SA football.