Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Secrets of Percy Tau’s success
From the NFD to Caf Champions League glory, and now Europe
THE mercurial and enigmatic Percy Tau’s meteoric rise has seen him go from a National First Division player to a Uefa Champions League footballer.
Tau is dazzling the world with his silky skills, deft touches and his finishing prowess in Belgium where he is on loan from English Premier League outfit, Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Witbank-born star is currently in the books of Club Brugge who are at the summit of the table in top flight football in Belgium.
We sat down with him for a chat ahead of Bafana’s Nelson Mandela Challenge game against Mali tomorrow.
MINENHLE MKHIZE (MM): Percy, there’s been huge progress in your career since you burst onto the scene in 2013. What is the secret to your accomplishments?
PERCY TAU (PT): It is all about working hard and staying focused on whatever I have to do and staying in the moment. It is also important to listen to my coaches and what their demands are. That’s something that helps me a lot. I have to enjoy the moment and keep going.
MM: It’s been a fairy-tale story for you Percy, one moment you were loaned to Witbank Spurs in the National First Division and the next moment you were back winning titles with Sundowns which led to your transfer to England, but because of work permit issues you were loaned out to a First Division club in Belgium. How do you handle setbacks because you seem to turn negatives into positives very easily?
PT: I always focus on what I have to do. By doing that, you keep away a lot of things and the focus always stay on the goal. The goal is always to try and be better. That always helps me. I don’t focus on setbacks. I always see the positive side of the situation. That helped me when I was at Witbank Spurs and it was the same thing last year when I was at Union. At Spurs, I went there, worked hard and reaped the rewards when Sundowns called me back. Last season, I went to Union, worked hard and here I am playing in the top flight in Belgium. You always have to stay positive.
MM: How did you handle the disappointment of missing out on an opportunity to play in the English Premier League because of work permit issues?
PT: I never get disappointed. I was given an opportunity to go overseas and I grabbed it. That opportunity has helped me to play in the Champions League. So, I can’t be disappointed with that.
MM: What has made it easy for you to adapt at Brugge?
PT: I knew that one day I will be in a new environment. I tried to prepare myself mentally. I told myself that if I go into the new environment, I must work hard to be in the team and understand the culture of the club. Luckily enough, I got into the team that welcomed me with open arms.
MM: Success in football is accompanied by fame and fame is followed by pressure. How do you handle all of those?
PT: There’s no pressure at all. I always try and focus on the next game. For me, it is all about playing the game, not the occasion, and I have to stay consistent.
MM: Two weeks ago, you put in an eye-catching performance against the powerhouse of European football, Real Madrid. Take us through what you felt.
PT: It was a nice feeling and very exciting, you know (chuckling). We went there with an intention to win but unfortunately we didn’t win and we got a draw. But to get a draw against the team that won Champions League three times in a row, it is huge. We took a lot of positives out of that result. We are proud of that achievement. In football you need luck to get three points against anybody.
MM: How confident are you that you will defy the odds and reach the knockout stages in a group that is comprised of the heavyweights of European football such as Madrid, Galatasaray and PSG?
PT: We believe that we can advance into the next stage of the competition if we work harder, take our chances and stay resolute at the back. I believe we can do it.
Why not? We are second on the log with two points after two games and still unbeaten. We know that it is not going to be easy. It is going to be difficult because we’ve got tough games coming up. We would like to play in the winter break again in the Champions League.
MM: How do you juggle your schedule because recently you graduated with BCom degree at University of South Africa. While you were at Sundowns, there was no time. You had to play domestic competitions and Caf Champions League. How did you do it Percy?
PT: Like I said, I focus on what I have to do. My mom is very keen on education. So, I always have to balance my career with my academics. I still do the same even now that I’m in Europe. After training, I go and study. When I have free time, I do my assignments. When I travel, I write my assignments. I’m still doing that. I’m also doing my post graduate now.
MM: Your team is sitting at the summit of the log in Belgium. We’ve seen guys like Benni McCarthy, Steven Pienaar, Siyabonga Nomvethe, Sibusiso Zuma, May Mahlangu, Nasief Morris and Tokelo Rantie winning league titles abroad which is not easy to do. How keen are you to follow in their footsteps?
PT: It is always great to win championships. That’s the plan of every team and any footballer, to win championships. That’s what we play football for.
To play for a club of Brugge’s status is huge. It is important for us to win the league.
I would also love to win something
in Europe. In as much as it is difficult but I would like to win something.
MM: How long do you intend to stay in Europe, we’ve seen a trend of South African footballers who play three or four seasons abroad and then come back home.
PT: I don’t know how long I will stay there. I believe that there are always factors that contribute in making decisions of coming back home. I don’t know if maybe one day I will face that kind of situation. At the moment, my focus is on staying longer.
MM: How would you want people to remember Percy in Bafana colours?
PT: Winning something for my country will be something that I will want people to remember me for. It is always a privilege and an honour to play for my country. I always try and make the most of the opportunity whenever I get a call-up.
MM: Will you be fit for the game tomorrow?
PT: Yes.
MM: Do you want to play on
Sunday?
PT: Yes, that’s why I’m here. MM: Who’s your favourite Springbok player?
PT: Jesse Kriel and Siyamthanda
Kolisi.
MM: Best advice you’ve ever received?
PT: To stay true to the process and focus on the goal.
MM: What do you miss most about being away?
PT: My family.
MM: Which is your favourite goal and why?
PT: The goal at the Fifa Club World Cup when I was at Sundowns. That was special for me. It is one to remember because it is not everyday that you get to play in that competition.
MM: Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?
PT: (Huge laugh) I prefer both. MM: One thing you can change in football, what would it be?
PT: It will be the focus on grassroots football.
MM: What are your feelings about
VAR?
PT: It is good. It brings morals into the game.
MM: Funniest moment that you’ve seen in a football match? PT: (Long pause), No, I don’t remember!
MM: Thanks Percy for your time. PT: Anytime my brother.