OPINION: Why Percy Tau’s best days are behind him

Percy Tau captained the Bafana Bafana team for several years during the peak of his career.

Nicknamed the “Lion of Judah,” Tau thrilled fans with his performances, particularly during his time at Mamelodi Sundowns and Club Brugge. After winning the Golden Boot and being named PSL Player of the Season in 2017/18, the 31-year-old winger secured a move to Brighton & Hove Albion.

At the time, many viewed Tau as South Africa’s next big football star, expecting him to follow in the footsteps of legends like Benni McCarthy, Steven Pienaar, and Lucas Radebe.

Tau spent just three years in Europe before returning to Africa to join Al Ahly. He delivered some of his best performances while playing for Sundowns, Union Saint-Gilloise, Club Brugge, and Anderlecht. He left Sundowns in 2018 after scoring 18 goals in 65 appearances for the Tshwane side. Though he hadn’t yet reached his peak, he was developing rapidly as a player.

In 2018, Tau couldn’t play for Brighton immediately, so the club loaned him to a Belgian second division team, where he impressed and earned another loan move, this time to Belgian giants Club Brugge.

Percy Tau was at his peak during the 2019 AFCON

In 2019, Tau performed exceptionally well with the national team, leading them to the quarter-finals. Although he did not score a goal in the tournament, his performance drew praise. He carried that form to Club Brugge, impressing in the UEFA Champions League against top teams like Real Madrid.

After a strong season with Club Brugge, Tau moved on loan to Anderlecht, where he continued to impress by scoring four goals in 14 appearances. Brighton recalled him after two and a half years on loan, but he only featured in six matches for the Seagulls in 2021.

He then moved to Al Ahly, where he spent four years. Since 2023, Tau’s influence has declined at both club and national level. He struggled during last year’s Africa Cup of Nations, which negatively affected his role at Al Ahly. Earlier this year, he joined Qatar SC but left after just a few months.

What happened to Tau’s promising career in Europe?

Why didn’t he achieve greater success in Europe? Percy Tau peaked between 2019 and 2022, but during these three years, he was mostly on loan. He wasn’t given enough opportunities at Brighton, which compelled him to seek playing time elsewhere.

While he improved as a player after leaving Sundowns, he did not fully realise his potential. Had he stayed at Brighton for another year or two, he could have enhanced his skills and extended his peak period. Injuries and a lack of motivation may have hindered his progress at Al Ahly. As of 2025, at 31 years old, Percy Tau is now a free agent.