Johannesburg – Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane wants youngster Percy Tau to challenge playmaker Keagan Dolly.
Mosimane has taken loan returnee Tau with the team to Egypt, where they come up against Zamalek in a CAF Champions League Group B clash at the Petro Sport Stadium in Cairo today (7.30pm SA time).
Tau had spent the better part of last season at NFD side Witbank Spurs while Dolly, 23, tormented all and sundry as Sundowns cruised to their seventh league title.
With Dolly set to lead South Africa at the Rio Olympics in a few weeks’ time, the under-23 captain is likely to have fatigue taking its toll which is why Mosimane is looking to Tau to step up.
“You must watch out for Percy,” said Mosimane.
Mosimane feels Tau, 22, has returned a better player from his loan deal at Spurs. The coach may alternate between Tau and Kuda Mahachi, another loan returnee from Golden Arrows. However, Mosimane was non-committal about Mahachi’s stay.
“Percy did very well at Spurs. We took him to a team where he was not just going to play and enjoy himself, as they were in the running to win the league. At some point they were neck and neck with Baroka FC at the top, but Highlands Park just came in the last three and they won. Percy wasn’t just playing; he was serious as he’s a guy who has to win.
“But Kuda is also looking good. We will see. Other teams want him. Kuda is playing on the same position as Keagan and Percy. It’s not easy. At Sundowns it’s about a system. Players must fit in the way we play. We play the old 4-4-2,” said Mosimane.
“The loans help our players a lot. We took Tiyani Mabunda to Free State Stars, and look what happens when he comes back. Look what happens when Keagan comes back from Ajax. We are not just taking players on loan. They come back better footballers”
Tau, who won the league title with Sundowns two seasons ago, also feels he is a better player having gained game time.
“It was great at Spurs. I enjoyed myself and I got that feeling of playing football again. They have done so much work with me. I was happy to play there. I got game time and improved a lot. I got the feeling of playing again and being valued and having the responsibility to help the team. I played some good football and the coach saw that and he called me back,” said Tau.
The former South African under-20 international knows it won’t be easy denying Dolly a place in the line-up. In fact when Dolly returned from a loan spell at Ajax, Tau lost his place in the starting line-up which is why he was sent out on loan.
But Tau is ready to fight hard and make the grade.
“It’s healthy competition but I am used to competition. When I first got in the team, I was competing with Cheeseboy Mokoena and Elias Pelembe. Sundowns is a big team with big players, so you just have to play around that, work hard and hope for your chance to come,” said the Sundowns development graduate.
Tau will be hoping for a chance to play when Sundowns tackle Zamalek in a crucial encounter in which the winner is set to go to the semi-finals of the competition.
“We are getting closer to the goal and it’s only three teams so if we get the win away, we have a better chance of going through. It’s very important for us to get there and win. It’s either a draw or a win.”
– The Sunday Independent