B. OsanoEXCLUSIVE: Al Ahly's endless quest for glory keeping Percy Tau grounded
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 12.09.23. | 12:02
A move back to Mamelodi Sundowns or a return to the Premier League with Burnley FC, where his Bafana Bafana teammate Lyle Foster plays, have been discussed as some of the player's currently available options.
With a grin on his face, Percy Tau looks easy or even tranquil as this reporter asked him about growing media speculations over his stay at Al Ahly SC after a season of renaissance with the Cairo giants that left suitors reportedly salivating for his signature.
"Look, I still have a contract with Alhy that runs until 2025," the 29-year-old forward softly said as he soaked in the sun at a Bafana Bafana camp in Johannesburg where he granted Mozzart Sport an exclusive interview.
A move back to Mamelodi Sundowns or a return to the Premier League with Burnley FC, where his Bafana Bafana teammate Lyle Foster plays, have been discussed as some of the player's currently available options.
Yet, for a man who abandoned the prestige of playing in Europe for a return to Africa - where he would be guaranteed more time on the pitch - playing and winning with the biggest club of the continent is all that matters now.
"We won five trophies last season, and so this season we're also going to try to do the same. I'm happy to be competing in these major tournaments. Ahly is a big club and they always try to win," he offered.
The Red Devils could pick their first trophy of the new season when they face US Alger of Algeria in the CAF Super Cup in Saudi Arabia on Friday.
"In Al Ahly, whatever you have achieved, when it comes to the following season, it does not count, and you will have to start again," the former Mamelodi Sundowns said as he prepares for more success with the Cairo giants.
In 2021, Tau, nicknamed the Lion of Judah, dumped Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion with two years on his contract to reunite with his former coach Pitso Mosimane in a move that was viewed by some observers as a career step-down, yet, to him, all he needed was to regularly play the game again.
"The only thing that I wanted so much was to play football; I could not stand sitting on the bench and waiting irrespective of the continent that I was on. All I wanted was to play and to be happy to be on the pitch again," Tau said with a sober face.
He is praying for an injury-free season so that he can continue with the same great form he had last season. "My fingers are crossed, and hopefully all will go well."
Tau, who likes to listen to gospel and hip-hop music ahead of games, revealed that stepping on the pitch with his left foot first is his match ritual.
"It's the dominant leg for me, so it has to step on the pitch first," said the left-footed player.
