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SURROUNDED by journalists at the Cairo International Airport on Tuesday night, Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Percy Tau handled all the questions like a pro. He s only 22 but he
’ sounded much older as he spoke about winning the CAF Champions League, how he wants to inspire youngsters at Sundowns and the pressure of juggling football and his studies. I study but I don t like to talk “’ about it. I am in my second year and next year is my last. Things are getting hectic with games and everything. I am on my own,” said Tau, who started both legs of Sundowns Champions League
’ final victory over Zamalek. As footballers we have enough “time to go to school because we train from about eight or nine and finish at 12. So I use the time after extra training to study.
It s really difficult. I have one “’ module that I struggle with and have to find a friend to help.”
Tau, who did not want to reveal what he is studying, travelled with his books to Egypt. Because he is paying for his education, he knows how important it is not to fail. I pay for my fees, so it s a priority “’ for me. I can t fail. It s important to
’ ’ have the support of family. They are always there for me. My mom is forever worried about school, more than football, so I cannot let her down.”
Sundowns players were subjected to death threats on social media before the second leg clash against Zamalek, so Tau s mother
’ had tried to tell him not to leave the country because she was worried about his safety.
My mom was very “emotional. She did not want me to go to Egypt. She was crying so hard “when I called and told her I am leaving [for Egypt], but she will be smiling now that I have a medal,” he added.
Sundowns won over the hearts of some Egyptians who kept saying Sundowns,
“Sundowns whenever
” they bumped into South Africans. I am proud of the “work of the team. My teammates did so well throughout the tournament. I know one day I will look back and smile,” said Tau. I am 22. It s scary [to be an African “’ champion at a young age] because a lot of big stars have won the Champions League. I saw other big players getting the same medal. I like that because now I am a champion. It s good to know South Africans “’ were behind us. It felt so special to be part of history. South Africa respects what we have accomplished. Things have gone the way I planned “and I think God is behind everything.” Big things are still to come from Tau: I am looking to judge my contribution “to Sundowns at the end of the season. So far so good.” He s likely to start again when
’ Sundowns host Cape Town City in an Absa Premiership match at Lucas Moripe Stadium at 3.30pm today.
TODAY S OTHER PSL MATCHES:
Highlands Park vs Free State Stars; Baroka FC vs Polokwane City. of Uganda Football Associations Moses Magogo ‚ ‚ said the keeper would receive a prime piece of land in the country as a reward for his feat. He deserves “to be recognised because he bravely MAMELODI Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango is to be presented with a land by his football association for becoming the first Ugandan to win the Caf Champions League. Onyango was instrumental in Downs ’ victory in this year s ’ competition even ‚ though he had to be replaced injured in the 28th minute of the second leg of the final which ‚ Downs lost 1-0 against Zamalek in Alexandria ‚ Egypt to run out 3-1 ‚ winners on aggregate. The president of the Federation represented the country at the continental stage Magogo ‚” said on AllAfrica.com. He still has a chance to “shine in December s Fifa Club ’ World Cup where he may come up against the likes of Real Madrid. Starting today Fufa is going “‚ to reward every individual who achieves big success. We will present him with “the land title at Namboole before the Congo game so that even the young players are motivated to work harder.” Uganda meet Congo in a World Cup qualifier in Kampala on November 12. Onyango won last year s ’ Ugandan Footballer of the Year Award and has helped steer ‚ the country to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. The public is excited. He is “the first Ugandan to win the CAF Champions League. It s a ’ huge honour said Ugandan ‚” radio journalist Tabu Peter. TMG Sport