Percy Tau left Mamelodi Sundowns last season, for a loan spell with Witbank Spurs in the National First Division (NFD).
He has returned with the fighting spirit of a lion, roaring his way into the club’s 30-man CAF Champions League squad and constantly in the match-day 18.
The fight to be in Sundowns’ starting XI is a jungle, it’s survival of the fittest with the Brazilians squad teeming with immense talent in every position.
While Tau struggles for a starting berth, he has made the most of his cameo appearances from the bench.
He even sparkled against five-time African champions - the mighty Zamalek of Egypt, in two legs.
His coming of age happened last month. Tau came from the bench against Zamalek at the Lucas Moripe Stadium where his shot was deflected by Ali Gabr into his own net for what turned into the winning goal.
What shows his growth is that he has consistently performed when called into action. He has become a player that coach Pitso Mosimane can rely on to change the game around for the Brazilians.
“The Percy who went to Spurs got game time and was also given more responsibility,” Tau said, describing the difference between the cub that went to Spurs and the lion that’s roaring at Sundowns.
“That Percy was given the responsibility to lead the team and make sure that it gains promotion, that’s something I didn’t get at Sundowns. He is 22 years old now,”
Tau said his age as if to remind people how young he is even though he has four seasons under his belt.
“There are a lot of big players around me (at Sundowns). They also have to take the responsibility. I am just a player who wants to contribute to the team.”
But Mosimane doesn’t care about his age, as long as he delivers. That’s why the coach pushes Tau to excel.
The two hold regular meetings and in one of those they discussed sending the 22-year-old on loan in familiar surroundings, at his hometown in Witbank last season. This was after he'd starred for the Brazilians’ reserve team in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge.
“He was doing well, scoring goals and we were monitoring him,” Mosimane said. “We fight a lot. Proper fights, like any father and son do. He tends to enjoy football too much. I am trying to make him understand that he must play productive football.
“We have to score by the way, and he is getting there. (Bongani) Zungu came here when he was 20 and he did the job. Keagan (Dolly) was 21 and Khama (Billiat) was 22, they did the job. I told him he must deliver. There isn’t that you’re young. You must deliver.”
And the coach says he has gotten through to his player: “He understands. He wants to enjoy football. I am trying to get him to balance having fun and being productive.
“This thing of doing tricks and jumping balls, we aren’t in a circus here. We are here to score goals.” - The Star