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Percy Tau

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Percy Tau
Tau with Al Ahly in 2024
Personal information
Full name Percy Muzi Tau[1]
Date of birth (1994-05-13) 13 May 1994 (age 30)[1]
Place of birth Witbank, South Africa
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[1]
Position(s) Forward, Winger
Team information
Current team
 Al Ahly
Number 10
Youth career
Mamelodi Sundowns
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2018 Mamelodi Sundowns 65 (18)
2015–2016 → Witbank Spurs (loan) 11 (3)
2018–2021 Brighton & Hove Albion 3 (0)
2018–2019 → Union SG (loan) 23 (6)
2019–2020 → Club Brugge (loan) 18 (3)
2020–2021 → Anderlecht (loan) 14 (4)
2021– Al Ahly 57 (17)
International career‡
2015– South Africa 50 (16)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 December 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 7 June 2024

Percy Muzi Tau (born 13 May 1994) is a South African professional footballer who plays as a forward for Egyptian Premier League club Al Ahly and the South Africa national team. He is regarded as one of the best wingers in Africa.

Tau began his footballing career with Premier Soccer League side Mamelodi Sundowns where he made 100 appearances either side of a loan to Witbank Spurs. During his time with Sundowns, he won the league title twice and the CAF Champions League once and was named Footballer of the Year and joint-top-goalscorer in his final season with the club.

Tau joined Brighton & Hove Albion in 2018 but, due to work-permit complications, was loaned out to Belgian side Union SG with whom he won the Proximus League Player of the Season award. His form earned him a short-term move to Club Brugge, where he won a league winners' medal the following season, before being loaned out for a third consecutive season when he signed for rivals Anderlecht in 2020.

Tau signed for Egyptian Premier League side Al Ahly in 2021 on a two-year contract. He became the highest scoring South African in the FIFA Club World Cup in December 2023 when he scored his third goal of the competition.

Club career

[edit]

Mamelodi Sundowns

[edit]

Born in Witbank,[2] Tau began his career with Mamelodi Sundowns in the Premier Soccer League. He made his professional debut for the club on 25 February 2014 in the league against Orlando Pirates. He came on as an 85th-minute substitute for Domingues as Sundowns lost 1–0.[3] Tau then scored his first professional goal for the club during a Nedbank Cup match on 22 March 2014 against Golden Arrows. His 90th-minute goal was the fourth and final goal for Sundowns as they won 4–1 against the Arrows.[4] He then scored his first goal in international club competition on 5 April 2015 in a CAF Champions League match against TP Mazembe. He scored the Sundown's one and only goal of the match in the 84th minute as Mamelodi Sundowns fell 3–1.[5] After two seasons and rarely appearing for Mamelodi Sundowns, Tau was released in the 2014–15 season.[citation needed]

On the advice of then-youth coach Rhulani Mokwena, he was loaned to National First Division side Witbank Spurs instead.[6] He made his debut for the club on 6 February 2016 in a 3–1 win over African Warriors and went on to score 3 goals in 11 appearances during his loan spell.[7]

After a season with Witbank Spurs, Tau rejoined Mamelodi Sundowns and was included in the squad for the club's CAF Champions League campaign. He featured throughout and played every minute of both legs of a 3–1 aggregate win over Egyptian side Zamalek in the CAF Champions League Final. The victory was Sundowns' first ever triumph in a continental competition.[8] He then scored his first goal in the league for the club on 2 November 2016 against Polokwane City. He scored the first of two goals for the side as they went on to win 2–0.[9] Tau then made his debut for the side in the FIFA Club World Cup on 11 December 2016 against Kashima Antlers. Sundowns were knocked-out of the competition after losing to the Japanese side 2–0.[10] During the fifth-place match, Tau scored the only goal for Sundowns as they fell 4–1 to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of South Korea.[11]

During the 2017–18 season, Tau scored 11 goals to help Mamelodi Sundowns to the league title. His form throughout the season saw him share the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot with Rodney Ramagalela and earned him the Footballer of the Season and Players' Player of the Season awards.[12] As a result of his achievements, Tau was courted by a number of European clubs during the off-season. Amidst the speculation surrounding his future, he refused to join Sundowns in the pre-season preparations in an attempt to force through a move.[13][14]

Brighton & Hove Albion

[edit]

On 20 July 2018, Tau signed a four-year contract with English Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion,[15] for an undisclosed transfer fee,[13] reported to be in the region of R50 million (UK£2.7 million), a South African record sale of a domestic player.[13] Brighton manager, Chris Hughton, confirmed that Tau would be loaned out shortly after his transfer, after failing a UK work permit, as well as him wanting the South African international to gain European football experience.[16] On 7 January 2021, he returned to Brighton & Hove Albion, after being recalled from his loan spell at Anderlecht.[17][18]

Loan to Union SG

[edit]

On 15 August, Tau joined Belgian second division side Union SG, owned by Brighton chairman Tony Bloom, on a season-long loan.[19][20] He was immediately introduced into the first team and played a particularly important role in the Belgian Cup during the first half of the season, scoring four goals in six appearances to help the club reach the semi-finals after recording historic wins over both Anderlecht and Genk.[21][22]

In April 2019, after scoring six goals and recording seven assist to help Union finish the season in second place, Tau was one of three players nominated for the Player of the Season award, alongside teammate Faïz Selemani.[23] He ultimately won the award and was named in the league's team of the season.[24][25]

Loan to Club Brugge

[edit]

On 29 July 2019, Tau signed for Belgian side Club Brugge on loan for the 2019–20 season.[26] He made his debut for the club on 2 August 2019 against Sint-Truiden where he scored in the club's 6–0 home victory.[27] On 13 August, he was sent off with for a second bookable offence during a 3–3 away draw against Dynamo Kiev in what was only his second career Champions League game. Brugge went through 4–3 on aggregate.[28] Tau appeared in the 2–2 away draw at Real Madrid on 1 October, where he assisted the first goal.[29]

The league was ended in May with one remaining match to be played due to Covid–19. Tau played 18 league matches scoring three as Club Bruges won the title, finishing 15 points clear of 2nd place.[30]

Loan to Anderlecht

[edit]

On 4 August 2020, Tau signed for Belgian club Anderlecht, on a one-year loan.[31] He made his debut for the club on 16 August 2020, coming on as a substitute in the 64th minute against Sint-Truiden, and scored his first goal as Anderlecht won the match 3-1.[32]

Return to Brighton

[edit]

On 7 January 2021, Tau was recalled by parent club Brighton, after just four months at Anderlecht, following the club receiving a Governing Body Endorsement, the new points-based system for non-English players which came into force when the transition period following the UK's exit from the European Union ended, from the FA for Tau.[17][18] On 10 January 2021, 905 days after signing for The Seagulls Tau made his debut coming on as a substitute in an FA Cup third round tie away at Newport County in which Brighton eventually won on penalties.[33] Three days later he made his league debut for Brighton starting in the 1–0 Premier League loss at Manchester City.[34] On 15 May, while only making his third Premier League appearance Tau sent in a through ball to Danny Welbeck who chipped the ball over keeper Łukasz Fabiański putting The Seagulls ahead in an eventual 1–1 home draw against West Ham.[35]

Al Ahly

[edit]

Tau signed a permanent deal for Egyptian Premier League Al Ahly on 26 August 2021.[36] Tau played in the 2021 CAF Super Cup on 22 December, in which he assisted Al Ahly's goal in the eventual penalty shootout victory.[37]

International career

[edit]

Tau made his debut for South Africa on 17 October 2015 in a 0–2 loss to Angola in a 2016 African Nations Championship qualification match.[38] On 25 March 2017, he scored his first international goal in the 69th minute against Guinea-Bissau after receiving a yellow card two minutes earlier.

On 13 October 2018, Tau was one of South Africa's goal scorers as the nation recorded its largest ever victory with a 6–0 win over Seychelles in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.[39] On 24 March 2019, he scored twice in a 2–1 win over Libya to secure South Africa's qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.[40] His brace took him to four goals for the qualifying campaign, ranking him among the highest goalscorers in qualification.[41]

Tau was named in the South African squad for the 2019 edition of the African Cup of Nations.[42] He started in all five games for his country where they made the quarter-final stage, losing to Nigeria to deny them a semi-final spot.[43]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played 14 December 2024[44][45][38]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Mamelodi Sundowns 2013–14 South African Premier Division 1 0 1 1 0 0 — 0 0 2 1
2014–15 5 0 1 0 0 0 1[c] 1 1[d] 0 8 1
2016–17 29 7 1 0 2 0 7[c] 2 4[d] 0 43 9
2017–18 30 11 3 2 1 0 13[c] 0 3[e] 1 50 14
Total 65 18 6 3 3 0 21 3 8 1 103 25
Witbank Spurs (loan) 2015–16 National First Division 11 3 0 0 — — — 11 3
Brighton & Hove Albion 2018–19 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
2019–20 0 0 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
2020–21 3 0 3 0 0 0 — — 6 0
2021–22 0 0 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
Total 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Union SG (loan) 2018–19 Belgian First Division B 23 6 6 4 — — 6[f] 3 35 13
Club Brugge (loan) 2019–20 Belgian Pro League 18 3 4 1 — 8[g] 0 0 0 30 4
Anderlecht (loan) 2020–21 Belgian Pro League 14 4 0 0 — — — 14 4
Al Ahly 2021–22 Egyptian Premier League 20 5 2 0 — 10[c] 3 2[h] 0 34 8
2022–23 21 3 4 1 — 12[c] 5 5[i] 1 42 10
2023–24 10 7 1 0 — 12[c] 1 10[j] 1 33 9
2024–25 4 0 — 0 0 4[c] 2 4[k] 0 12 2
Total 57 17 7 1 0 0 38 11 21 2 121 29
Career total 189 49 26 9 3 0 67 14 35 6 320 78
  1. ^ Includes Nedbank Cup, FA Cup, Belgian Cup, Egypt Cup
  2. ^ Includes Carling Knockout Cup
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Appearance(s) in CAF Champions League
  4. ^ a b Appearance(s) in MTN 8
  5. ^ One appearance in MTN 8, two appearances and one goal in FIFA Club World Cup
  6. ^ Appearances in Belgian Pro League European play-offs
  7. ^ Six appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League
  8. ^ One appearance in Egyptian Super Cup, one appearance in CAF Super Cup
  9. ^ Four appearances and one goal in FIFA Club World Cup, one appearance in Egyptian Super Cup
  10. ^ One appearance in CAF Super Cup, four appearances in African Football League, three appearances and one goal in FIFA Club World Cup, two appearances in Egyptian Super Cup
  11. ^ One appearance in CAF Super Cup, two appearances in Egyptian Super Cup, one appearance in FIFA Intercontinental Cup

International

[edit]
As of match played 7 June 2024[38]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
South Africa 2015 2 0
2016 0 0
2017 9 4
2018 6 3
2019 9 2
2020 3 3
2021 6 1
2022 1 0
2023 6 2
2024 8 1
Total 50 16
Scores and results list South Africa's goal tally first.[38]
List of international goals scored by Percy Tau
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 25 March 2017 Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa  Guinea-Bissau 2–0 3–1 Friendly
2 10 June 2017 Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Nigeria  Nigeria 2–0 2–0 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
3 7 October 2017 FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa  Burkina Faso 1–0 3–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
4 14 November 2017 Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor, Dakar, Senegal  Senegal 1–1 1–2 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
5 24 March 2018 Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola, Zambia  Zambia 1–0 2–0 2018 Four Nations Tournament
6 14 October 2018 FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa  Seychelles 4–0 6–0 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
7 20 November 2018 Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa  Paraguay 1–1 1–1 Friendly
8 24 March 2019 Stade Taïeb Mhiri, Sfax, Tunisia  Libya 1–0 2–1 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
9 2–1
10 13 November 2020 Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa  São Tomé and Príncipe 1–0 2–0 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
11 16 November 2020 Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa  São Tomé and Príncipe 2–1 4–2
12 4–2
13 25 March 2021 FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa  Ghana 1–1 1–1
14 17 March 2023 FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa  Morocco 1–0 2–1 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
15 18 November 2023 Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa  Benin 1–0 2–1 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
16 21 January 2024 Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo, Ivory Coast  Namibia 1–0 4–0 2023 Africa Cup of Nations

Honours

[edit]

Mamelodi Sundowns

Club Brugge

Al Ahly

South Africa

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2022™: List of Players: Al Ahly SC" (PDF). FIFA. 7 February 2023. p. 1. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  2. ^ Madyira, Michael (22 June 2024). "Why Al Ahly's Percy Tau is on the transfer radar of Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns". Goal.com.
  3. ^ "Sundowns 0–1 Orlando Pirates". Soccerway.
  4. ^ "Golden Arrows 1–4 Sundowns". Soccerway.
  5. ^ "TP Mazembe 3–1 Sundowns". Soccerway.
  6. ^ Molefe, Mazola (4 May 2018). "How Percy Tau went from slacker to superstar at Mamelodi Sundowns". Independent Online. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  7. ^ "African Warriors 1–3 Witbank Spurs". Soccerway.
  8. ^ "Zamalek 1–0 Sundowns". Soccerway.
  9. ^ "Polokwane City 0–2 Sundowns". Soccerway.
  10. ^ "Sundowns 0–2 Kashima Antlers". Soccerway.
  11. ^ "Jeonbuk Motors 4–1 Sundowns". Soccerway.
  12. ^ a b c d Ntloko, Mninwa (29 May 2018). "Sundowns' Percy Tau walks away with top honours at glittering PSL awards". Times Live. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  13. ^ a b c Bekker, Liam (24 July 2018). "Percy Tau is a star in waiting for Brighton". FanSided. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  14. ^ Motshwane, Gomolemo (24 July 2018). "Percy Tau's agent thrilled move finally happened". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  15. ^ "Albion complete striker signing". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  16. ^ "Tau excited to make loan impact". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  17. ^ a b "Tau recalled from Anderlecht". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  18. ^ a b "PERCY TAU RETURNS TO BRIGHTON". R.S.C. Anderlecht. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  19. ^ Naylor, Andy (21 May 2018). "Done deal: Albion chairman Tony Bloom completes takeover of Belgian club Saint Gilloise". The Argus. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  20. ^ "BREAKING: Percy Tau joins Belgian second division side". News 24. 15 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  21. ^ Crann, Joe (20 December 2018). "Red Hot Tau Leads Giant-Killing In Belgium". Soccer Laduma. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  22. ^ "Joy & Heartache – Phiri & Tau's Cup Fate Confirmed". Soccer Laduma. 30 January 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  23. ^ "Tau earns POTY nomination". Kick Off. 29 April 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  24. ^ a b "Bafana star scoops Player of the Year award in Belgium". News 24. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  25. ^ a b "Proximus League-elftal van het seizoen // RECHTSBUITEN // Percy Tau (Union SG)". Proximus Sport. 31 March 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  26. ^ "Brighton loan South Africa's Percy Tau to Club Bruges - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 29 July 2019.
  27. ^ "Club Brugge (6) STVV (0) (JPL 1920) - Club". 2 August 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  28. ^ "Dynamo Kiev (3) Club Brugge (3) - Club". 13 August 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  29. ^ "Real Madrid 2-2 Club Bruges: Former champions escape with draw - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 1 October 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  30. ^ "Communicatie na de Algemene Vergadering". Jupiler Pro League. 15 May 2020.
  31. ^ "Percy Tau plays for RSC Anderlecht". Official website Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  32. ^ "Bafana Bafana international Tau scores on debut for Anderlecht as a super sub". Goal. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  33. ^ "Newport County 1–1(3–4 pens) Brighton & Hove Albion". BBC Sport. 10 January 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  34. ^ "Manchester City 1–0 Brighton: Phil Foden scores only goal for Pep Guardiola's side". BBC Sport. 13 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  35. ^ "Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 West Ham United: Hammers top-four hopes suffer blow". BBC Sport. 15 May 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  36. ^ "Percy Tau completes move to Al Ahly". Brighton & Hove Albion. 6 November 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  37. ^ Oludare, Shina (22 December 2021). "Pitso Mosimane makes history with Al Ahly after Caf Super Cup triumph". Goal. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  38. ^ a b c d "Tau, Percy". National Football Teams. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  39. ^ Molefe, Mazola (13 October 2018). "Bafana Bafana rock Seychelles in record victory". Independent Online. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  40. ^ Said, Nick (24 March 2019). "Percy Tau scores two goals as Bafana Bafana qualify for Afcon". Times Live. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  41. ^ Kappel, David (25 March 2019). "Tau & Ex-Chiefs Striker Among Top Goalscorers In AFCON Qualification". Soccer Laduma. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  42. ^ "Africa Cup of Nations squads – BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 22 May 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  43. ^ "Africa Cup of Nations: Nigeria score in last minute to beat South Africa 2–1 for semi-final spot – BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 10 July 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  44. ^ a b c Percy Tau at Soccerway
  45. ^ Percy Tau at WorldFootball.net
  46. ^ "Club Brugge awarded Belgian Pro League title as season ended early". Sky Sports. 15 May 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  47. ^ Oludare, Shina (22 December 2021). "Pitso Mosimane makes history with Al Ahly after Caf Super Cup triumph". Goal. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  48. ^ Edwards, Piers (10 February 2024). "South Africa 0–0 DR Congo". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  49. ^ "Zambia to host four-nations event". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  50. ^ "South Africa vs. Angola - 21 March 2018 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
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