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FT's 10 Best Moments of 2018: #5 No mercy, Percy
Percy Tau had the whole of South Africa on lockdown in 2018 before jumping ship to Europe, effectively becoming a gift to all of Mamelodi Sundowns’ opponents. More importantly, he has hit the ground running with Belgian side Union SG with 7 goals and 6 assists.
Percy Tau of Mamelodi Sundowns celebrates wuth his team mate after a goal during the FIFA World Cup match for 5th place between Mamelodi Sundowns and Jeonbuk Hyundai at Suita City Football Stadium on December 14, 2016 in Suita, Japan.
(Dec. 13, 2016 - Source: Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images AsiaPac)
At FirstTouch, we have a saying that goes like, “a year is never over until we close it.” In the spirit of that ideal, we took our time to look back at the ten most defining moments of 2018, as far as African football is concerned. Could you guess what they are? Number 5 is up next.
One of the most celebrated African footballers of the year became the 24-year-old Percy Tau, another South African who was highly rated in his home country and electric enough for the world to take notice.
Percy Tau was in sizzling form for Mamelodi Sundowns in their title winning 2017/18 ABSA Premiership campaign. Tau partnered with Zimbabwe’s Khama Billiat upfront in Bafana BaStyle’s setup, also winged by the likes of Themba Zwane and Vilakazi to perfect their infamous shoe-shine piano football (one touch passing). Percy increasingly became ruthless in front of goal, winning the top goal scorer award for the South African League and two other more coveted individual football awards in the country, including the Player Of The Season Award. It was clear to many that the young lad had his whole future ahead of him, with the likes of Senegalese legend in El Hadji Diouf citing that Percy was just as good as Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane, if not even better. Of course, there were no satisfactory grounds to consider Diouf’s claims given Percy was just a mere star shining in a less known leagues in the Southern-most part of the world. However, the inevitable did happen.
“The match dubbed a Nelson Mandela challenge matchup ended in favour of the La Liga giants. In as much Messi and his colleagues were guilty of a frenzy in Johannesburg, with the Barcelona faithfuls eager to take selfies or see them play live, the night belonged to Percy. The former Mamelodi Sundowns man was unmoved as he rubbed shoulders with Europe’s elite. A wonderfully crafted assist crowned his night which was full of sidesteps and dribbles.”
One of the most anticipated friendly matches that took place at the end of the football league season in May 2018 was contested by Mamelodi Sundowns and the mighty Catalonian giants, Barcelona. The match dubbed a Nelson Mandela challenge matchup ended in favour of the La Liga giants. In as much Messi and his colleagues were guilty of a frenzy in Johannesburg, with the Barcelona faithfuls eager to take selfies or see them play live, the night belonged to Percy. The former Mamelodi Sundowns man was unmoved as he rubbed shoulders with Europe’s elite. A wonderfully crafted assist crowned his night which was full of sidesteps and dribbles. That’s how he announced himself to the rest of the world, eventually landing a South African record transfer deal to Premier League side, Brighton & Hove Albion. A rare chance for a South African footballer was grabbed by a rare footballer.
Since then, Tau’s summer move to Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion was immediately followed by a loan to Belgian side Union SG. Though it initially took a few games, his work ethic has started to create opportunities for more minutes and impact on the pitch, resulting in 7 goals and 6 assists through 19 matches.
Maybe Percy’s true value has shown in 2018 with his performances for South Africa in the 2019 AFCON qualifiers, drawing praise from his opponents, specifically Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr. Ultimately, Tau helped Bafana Bafana qualify behind the Super Eagles for the 2019 competition with some exhilarating performances, whether he was scoring himself, setting up his teammates, or tiring out his opponents with his relentless work rate.
““Congratulations to this player Percy Tau. I hope to see him in a big team in Europe, in England or the championship. He is a really good player.””
As they say in Percy’s former camp in Mamelodi Sundowns, the sky is truly the limit for the 24-year-old.
Is South Africa's Ligue 1-based, Lebo Mothiba underrated?
The 22-year-old RC Strasbourg forward spoiled Thierry Henry’s managerial debut by banging the second goal as AS Monaco lost 2-1. The young forward has largely flown under the radar, but sure looks like a real talent, and a welcome gift to the Bafana side.
“At only 22 years of age, with his ice-cold calmness in front of goal, agility and physique to back him up - I am reminded of South Africa’s living and playing scoring legend, Katlego “Killer” Mphela. Nicknamed killer for obvious reasons in front of goal.”
As far as South African football is concerned, Percy Tau has been inarguably the hottest name floating around for quite some time now. The former Mamelodi Sundowns stole the spotlight with his pacey style of play coupled with a solid eye for goal. The 24-year-old has been heralded for his exploits in helping Sundowns to numerous ABSA premiership titles as well as the much coveted CAF Champions League trophy. He eventually got rewarded with a move away to English Premier League side, Brighton & Hove Albion though currently on loan in Belgium. One name that slipped under the radar which has become impossible to ignore is, Lebogang Mothiba.
Ashley Williams of Everton FC (L) vies with Lebo Mothiba of LOSC Lille (R) for the ball possession during the match between Everton FC and LOSC Lille for Algarve Football Cup 2018 at Estadio do Algarve on July 21, 2018 in Faro, Portugal.
(July 20, 2018 - Source: Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images Europe)
The 22-year-old forward was absolutely brilliant in South Africa’s recent AFCON qualifier at home against Seychelles. He scored a banger and assisted Percy Tau in a completely dominant 6-0 win by Bafana Bafana. This was just Lebo’s third appearance for the South African national side and scored his third goal for the country. He has been just as good since he moved to France in 2016 from the Senegalese Academy, Diambars. He had also played for Kempton Park and Mamelodi Sundowns in the early stages of his career. Mothiba is currently rocking the RC Strasbourg colors in the French Ligue 1 after being sold by Lille OSC in August 2018, in a deal reported to be €4 million. Lille desperately needed the funds to ease a tough financial situation hence the decision to sell the talented Mothiba to a rival, though the deal was sealed with a buy-back clause inserted into the sale.
Mothiba has been in redhot form since then, scoring 5 goals and assisting one other in 7 appearances for Strasbourg. His latest goal came over the course of the weekend against 2016/17 Ligue 1 champions, AS Monaco. Mothiba doubled Strasbourg’s lead in the second half by neatly lobbying the goalkeeper in an one on one situation to deny Thierry Henry’ and his troops, a debut managerial win. At only 22 years of age, with his ice-cold calmness in front of goal, agility and physique to back him up - I am reminded of South Africa’s living and playing scoring legend, Katlego “Killer” Mphela. Nicknamed killer for obvious reasons in front of goal.
With Tau, Mothiba, Bongani Zungu and many others, the future is looking quite alright for Bafana. As for Lebogang Mothiba, brace yourself to hear more of him in the time to come. This boy is really what I say he is. Take my word for it!
PSL Awards: Tau crowned king and could Siphesihle Ndlovu follow his footsteps?
The sky is the limit for Percy Tau. On Tuesday night, at the Sandton Convention Center, the 24-year-old took home the 2017/18 South African Footballer Of The Season Award, Players’ Player of The Season and the joint Top Goal Scorer Award. The 21-year-old Maritzburg midfielder, Siphesihle Ndlovu won the Midfielder Of The Year Award and The Young Player Of The Season.
Inarguably the name that has dominated the South African football media throughout the 2017/18 campaign is at it again, this time with a few accolades besides it. Rightfully so, if you ask me. Percy Tau was the biggest winner on Tuesday night at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg where the ABSA Premiership Awards Gala was held. The 24-year-old was received the top two awards in South African football, the prestigious Footballer Of The Season Award and the Players’ Player Of The Season. He also shared the money with Polokwane City’s Rodney Ramagelela for the Top Scorer Award after banging striking eleven times for the PSL Champions, Mamelodi Sundowns. The Sundowns talisman will most likely be nominated for the CAF awards at the end of the year and rumors linking him to European clubs might not be far off now. The Mesut Ozil-like assist that he dished out to Sibusiso Vilakazi in their friendly against Barcelona shows glimpses of his quality and El Hadji Diouf’s praises and prophecy might come true after all.
On the contrary, not much has been said about Maritzburg United’s young playmaker, Siphesihle Ndlovu. The 21-year-old midfielder capped off his breakthrough the season by also getting a brace on the night, winning the ABSA Premiership Young Player Of The Season and the Midfielder Of The Season Awards. Ever since he joined the Team of Choice as the child, graduating from the ball-boy role, he has been on the up. At the time, they actually nicknamed him “Mbesuma,” after the former PSL Top Goal Scorer, Collins Mbesuma. Ndlovu became the first Maritzburg United player to win the ABSA Premiership Player Of The Month in January 2018 and went on to steer the team to a fourth-place finish. Leading up to the awards night, the youngster opened up on the reason behind his success:
I've never thought I could be nominated so soon, but also I think that anything is possible in this world‚ and that if you perform when you give 100 percent in every game‚ you're always focused‚ then anything can happen to you. From last season I was trying to make my way into Maritzburg‚ then when this season started the coach made me believe that I'm one of the best players in the world.” - Siphesihle Ndlovu, Maritzburg United
He received his first call to the Bafana Bafana camp in March 2018 for the Four Nations Tournament. Young Ndlovu is an exciting prospect that will surely turn heads in a few months time.
Here is the full list of all winners for the 2017/18 ABSA Premiership Season:
FOOTBALLER OF THE SEASON:
Percy Tau (Mamelodi Sundowns) — (USD)$ 19,960
ABSA Premiership Player’s Player of the Season:
Percy Tau (Mamelodi Sundowns) — (USD)$ 15,970
ABSA Premiership Coach of the Season:
Pitso Mosimane (Mamelodi Sundowns) — (USD)$ 5,990
ABSA Premiership Young Player of the Season:
Siphesihle Ndlovu (Maritzburg United) — (USD) $ 4,000
ABSA Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season:
Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs) — (USD) $ 4,000
ABSA Premiership Defender of the Season:
Siyanda Xulu (Maritzburg United) — (USD) $ 4,000
ABSA Premiership Midfielder of the Season:
Siphesihle Ndlovu (Maritzburg United) — (USD) $ 4,000
ABSA Premiership Goal of the Season:
Siphelele Magubane (L. Golden Arrows) — (USD) $ 4,000
MTN8 LAST MAN STANDING:
Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United) — (USD) $6,390
TELKOM KNOCKOUT PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT:
Amr Gamal (Bidvest Wits) — (USD) $ 15,970
NEDBANK CUP: Player of the Tournament:
Lebohang Maboe (Maritzburg United) — (USD) $ 11,980
NEDBANK CUP: Most Promising Player
Lebohang Maboe (Maritzburg United) — (USD)$ 4,000
MULTICHOICE Diski Challenge Precious Find:
Siboniso Conco (L. Golden Arrows) — (USD)$ 2,400
MULTICHOICE Diski Shield Precious Find:(USD) $ 11,980
Itumeleng Shopane (Kaizer Chiefs) — (USD)$ 2,400
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee of the Season — (USD)$ 4,000
Assistant Referee of the Season — (USD) $ 3,200
South Africa: “Tau better than Salah and Mane” - El Hadji Diouf
"It only shows the good work that I and Sundowns do, and also how the coaches are helping us develop as players because we can easily be compared to European players.”
The former Liverpool and Senegal forward heaped praises on the quality of South African football, going further to single out Mamelodi Sundowns striker, Percy Tau. During Diouf’s visit to South Africa in his capacity as an ambassador of the Moroccan 2026 world cup bid, he also challenged South African footballers to get out of their comfort zone and aspire to play in European leagues.
In response to Diouf’s praises, the 23-year old Tau revealed that the former Blackburn man had previously expressed his views when they traveled to Senegal for their final World Cup 2018 qualifier.
“Look‚ I spoke to Diouf in Senegal, and he expressed his views on my game‚ and what he feels. So, I wasn’t surprised by what he said this week. It only shows the good work that I and Sundowns do, and also how the coaches are helping us develop as players because we can easily be compared to European players.”
The PSL joint top scorer with eleven league goals this campaign won the 2016 CAF Champions League with Sundowns and has since become a fan favorite at the club. He has distinguished himself as a striker who can race from deep, create chances, make assists and score goals. His coach Pitso Mosimane believes that he should unanimously win the 2017/18 PSL Player of the year. Tau is also determined to make Diouf proud.
“I hope one day he (Diouf) will be happy with what he said. I hope one day he’ll be proud that he said those words to this boy and look at him now.”
South African POTY Award: “Give it to Percy.”
“Percy Tau must win player of the year award”
The outspoken Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Pitso Mosimane, has openly declared whom he thinks should PSL ’s player of the year award. Mosimane has expressed disbelief over the “campaigning” he has observed on the media for such awards, saying that it’s not healthy for South African football. According to Mosimane, no one comes close to the 23-year-old Sundowns player when it comes to South African football matters this season.
““For me, you can’t compare Percy Tau with anybody, give it to him. He plays Champions League and he’s scoring. He is scoring for Bafana, he is scoring in the league, he is scoring in the Nedbank Cup. Who do you want to compare him to? No, let’s be honest, who do you want to compare him to? Okay you can have nominees, which is good, but give it to Percy.””