Tau’s attitude was a recipe for success

Whenever I hear the name Percy Tau, memories of my first year at the Tshwane University of Technology begin to fly back to the day I first saw a young striker with great potential who went on to become the best in the local game.

And trust me, Tau wasn’t the only special kid that day but let me take you back to the beginning. It was during my first year at varsity and I was lucky enough to get an opportunity to shadow one of the sports journalists at one of the most reputable papers in Pretoria back in 2010.

On my first day, I had been briefed about my assignment and told that we would be attending an Under-17 tournament which would feature Mamelodi Sundowns’ development side.

It was a rainy Saturday morning as we made our way to the venue in Mamelodi by metered taxi along with our photographer.

For a reason I have forgotten, the length of the games had to be cut short and it was hard to follow every team that was playing.

But, there were two teams that everyone was excited about – The Sundowns development side and a local team called Real Mamelodians.

This was my first time in the area and my first time getting to watch this tournament and all I could hear around the spectators was “today we are going to see which is the real Sundowns.”

From the chats I could eavesdrop on, games between Real Mamelodians and Sundowns always produced fireworks and bragging rights were always up for grabs.

Khayelihle Shozi, who is now playing his football for TS Galaxy was causing havoc for opposition defenders with his mesmerising skills, while Tau was scoring goals like nobody’s business and turning in some great performances.

With the rain having subsided during the day, it started to drizzle a bit just before the start of the final which pitted the two teams that everyone had been hoping for, against one another.

Mamelodians had some brilliant players who had it in them to make the cut in professional football.

I’m certain if I investigated it deeply, one or two players from that team probably turned pro.

As expected, it was fireworks in the final and at some point, Sundowns seemed to be losing it. But, something special came out of Tau, the boy was just roaring.

He eventually helped his team win the final and if I remember correctly, he scored three goals and eventually walked away as the top scorer and Player-of-the-Tournament.

I had an interview with him afterwards and he was shy and reserved.

I remember asking him what his ultimate goal is, and he politely answered “to work hard and play for the first team one day”.

You see, Tau always knew what it would take for him to be the best and that continued from the moment he signed his first professional contract with Sundowns.

Today, Tau is a Bafana Bafana star and has been recalled to his English Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion after loan spells in Belgium.

The boy simply deserves what’s coming to him and I am proud to see where his football has taken him so far.

Now go out there and roar in the EPL, Lion Of Judah, stories like yours are an inspiration to aspiring footballers.