Percy Tau must leave Brighton
When Manchester City left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko was marking Percy Tau in a league match against Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this year, he was confused and lost like a sheep on astroturf as he twisted and turned chasing shadows throughout the match.
Tau, who was making his long-awaited league debut after spending three years on loan in Belgium while waiting for his United Kingdom work permit, was making a meal out of the Ukrainian.
And after the match South African fans were buzzing with excitement on social media, praising Tau’s performance while looking forward to more like that from him in future.
Even though Pep Guardiola’s side won the match 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium, Tau’s performance was enough to convince even the most sceptical English commentators and pundits.
Three days before that, the former Mamelodi Sundowns player played his first match on English soil, in the third round of the FA Cup against League 2 side Newport County, coming on as a substitute with Brighton eventually winning 5-4 on penalties.
Finally, after Lucas Radebe, the late Phil Masinga, Benni McCarthy, Mark Fish, Shaun Bartlett, Steven Pienaar, Aaron Mokoena, Elrio van Heerden and Kagisho Dikgacoi, there was another South African to carry the flag in one of the best leagues in the world.
At least that’s what we thought.
But after coming on as a second half sub against Leeds United three days after his league debut against City, Tau sat on the bench for eight league matches in a row without playing a single minute. The only time he played was against Blackpool and Leicester City in the FA Cup.
Even though Brighton manager Graham Potter might not admit it, by the look of things, Tau is not in his manager’s plans as he was signed by the previous coach Chris Hughton.
When Radebe and Masinga arrived at Leeds United from Kaizer Chiefs and Jomo Cosmos respectively in the mid 1990s, it also took them a bit of time to acclimatise to the English way of doing things and convince then manager George Graham to start playing them. And once they started playing they became heroes with Elland Road fans.
But unlike Radebe and Masinga, who went straight from South Africa to the English Premiership, Tau’s case is different. He has had experience of playing in Belgium and that includes featuring in the UEFA Champions League against the likes of Real Madrid.
Before him, Aaron Mokoena joined Blackburn Rovers in 2005 after spending a few years in the B Belgium league and w when he moved to E England, he hit the g ground running and was w a regular starter. Mokoena M went as far f as captaining the Portsmouth P side that reached r the 2010
FA F Cup Final against Chelsea. C
If the three years of experience e Tau gained i n Belgium is not enough e to convince his h manager that he is worthy w of a place in the starting line up, then it will be better for him to pack his belongings to move to another club or league where he will get regular football.
Next month Tau will be turning 27 and he is not a youngster who has time on his side. Instead of spending his days in England drinking energy drinks on the bench, at a club that is fighting relegation, there are many leagues and clubs around the world that would appreciate Tau’s talent.
France, Netherlands or even a return to Belgium might not be a bad thing at all considering the circumstances. And this will be welcomed by Bafana Bafana head coach, Molefi Ntseki, ahead of the 2022 World Cup finals to be held in Qatar next year.