SA stars abroad

Percy Tau

▶ Percy Tau’s career at Brighton and Hove Albion has stalled a little bit in recent weeks, with the Bafana Bafana forward getting no game time in any of their last five English Premier League games, though he has been part of Graham Potter’s match-day squad in all of those five matches. Tau was recalled from Anderlecht by Brighton during the January transfer window and made his EPL debut in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City on 13 January. However, he has only made one league appearance since, as a substitute against Leeds, and while he did start both of Brighton’s games in the FA Cup, now that they are out of that competition, one has to wonder exactly when his next appearance will be for the Seagulls. It is not as if Brighton have exactly been on fire in front of goal in Tau’s absence, failing to score again in a goalless draw with Aston Villa on the weekend.

Thibang Phete

▶ The 26-year-old defender is having his best season ever in the Portugese league, a regular this season in the Primeira Liga with Belenenses. Phete joined Belenenses on a permanent deal in August 2020, after impressing on loan last season, and has started 15 of their 19 league games in the 2020/21 campaign, even netting one league goal, the winner in a 1-0 win at one of Phete’s former sides, Vitoria de Guimarares, in September. Belenenses are currently 12th in Primeira Liga, only three points ahead of bottom side Famalicao.

Siyanda Xulu

▶ Former Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Maritzburg United defender Xulu continues to play regularly for Israeli side Hapoel Tel Aviv, though they are in the midst of a relegation battle as the season draws to a close. Xulu played 90 minutes as Hapoel got just their fourth league win of the season at Maccabi Peta Tikva, continuing an upward curve that saw them unbeaten in five games.