Opinion: Percy Tau has passed his peak and here's why
Percy Tau once led the Bafana Bafana team for several years during his peak.
Known as the 'Lion of Judah,' Tau was a joy to watch, especially while playing for Mamelodi Sundowns and Club Brugge. After winning the Golden Boot and being named PSL Player of the Season in the 2017/18 season, the 31-year-old winger transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion.
At that time, Percy Tau was seen as the next big star, with many expecting him to reach the heights of legends like Benni McCarthy, Steven Pienaar, and Lucas Radebe.
Unfortunately, he spent only three years in Europe before returning to Africa, where he played for Al Ahly. Tau played his best football at Sundowns, Union Saint-Gilloise, Club Brugge, and Anderlecht. He left Sundowns in 2018 after scoring 18 goals in 65 appearances for the Tshwane giants. While he wasn't at his peak yet, he was rapidly improving as a footballer.
Although he could not play for Brighton initially in 2018, he was loaned out to a Belgian second division team where he excelled, securing another loan move to Belgian giants Club Brugge.
In 2019, Tau performed exceptionally well with the national team, leading them to the quarter-finals. Although he did not score a goal in the tournament, his performance drew praise. He carried that form to Club Brugge, impressing in the UEFA Champions League against top teams like Real Madrid.
After a successful season with Brugge, he was loaned to Anderlecht, where he continued to impress, scoring four times in 14 appearances. Brighton eventually recalled him after two and a half years on loan, but unfortunately, he played only six matches for the Seagulls in 2021.
He then transferred to Al Ahly, where he spent four years. Since 2023, Percy Tau has had less impact on both club and country. He struggled in the Africa Cup of Nations last year, which adversely affected his career at Al Ahly. Earlier this year, he joined Qatar SC but only lasted a few months before leaving.
Why didn't he achieve greater success in Europe? Percy Tau peaked between 2019 and 2022, but during these three years, he was mostly on loan. He wasn't given enough opportunities at Brighton, which compelled him to seek playing time elsewhere.
While he improved as a player after leaving Sundowns, he did not fully realise his potential. Had he stayed at Brighton for another year or two, he could have enhanced his skills and extended his peak period. Injuries and a lack of motivation may have hindered his progress at Al Ahly. As of 2025, at 31 years old, Percy Tau is now a free agent.
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