Orlando Pirates Coach Jose Riveiro Gives Surprising Comment About Percy Tau

• Orlando Pirates' Spanish coach Jose Riveiro has made an interesting admission
• He said that he had not heard of star Bafana Bafana midfielder Percy Tau until he became the Buccaneer's head coach
• With the 30-year-old Tau on the way out of Egyptian club Al Ahly, he has been strongly linked with a move to Pirates

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro will not have endeared himself to Percy Tau's fanbase following what he said recently.

The Spaniard said that he had not heard of the Bafana Bafana and Al Ahly midfielder until after taking over at the Buccaneers. Tau is nearing an exit from the Egyptian club, with Pirates strongly linked with the 30-year-old.

According to the City Press, Riveiro said ahead of Pirates' DStv Premiership clash against TS Galaxy last Saturday:

"I don’t even know the player [Percy Tau] that you mention. It’s not where my focus is at this moment. My focus is on TS Galaxy and our players."

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Tau was once on the books of Premier League team Brighton & Hove Albion, before being brought to Cairo last year by then-coach and compatriot Pitso Mosimane. Tau took to life in Cairo like a duck to water, scoring eight goals in 28 appearances in all competitions for the club of the century.

He was one of the key performers as Al Ahly won last year’s CAF Super Cup and finished as runners-up in the CAF Champions League final this season. He fell increasingly out of favour following a loss of form and after Mosimane's departure.

He was linked with a return to Mamelodi Sundowns or possibly joining Kaizer Chiefs amid the Pirates rumours.

Percy Tau leaves Al Ahly after a disappointing single season with Egyptian giants

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The most unsurprising news of the year has emerged in the form of Percy Tau parting ways with Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

As reported by Sports Brief, the former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder followed in the footsteps of compatriot Pitso Mosimane - who had brought him to the club - after a short and frustrating spell at English club Brighton & Hove Albion.

Tau enjoyed regular game time while under Mosimane in Cairo, having signed for the Egyptian Premier League side in 2021 under a two-year contract. He made 22 appearances, finding the back of the net 5 times in that time.