AFCON 2023: Percy Tau and Bafana Bafana Staying Grounded Despite Huge Win vs Namibia

• Percy Tau scored his first goal in the 2023 AFCON to help South Africa beat Namibia 4-0
• The Bafana Bafana forward has said that they are staying grounded despite the big win
• South Africa are second in Group E with three points and need to beat Tunisia to progress

South Africa bounced back in style with an emphatic 4-0 win over neighbours, Namibia, in their Group E clash in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Percy Tau was on the scoresheet but says they are not getting carried away by the result since they haven't booked their spot in the last 16 yet.

South Africa went into the Namibia game after a frustrating 2-0 defeat to Mali in their Group E opener. Their clash against Namibia was a must-win.

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Hugo Broos's side started with intent and bagged the opener after 14 minutes, thanks to Tau's penalty. Veteran Themba Zwane scored twice before the break to give the 1996 champions a commanding lead.

Thapelo Maseko sealed the win in the 75th minute to give South Africa an impressive win. They face Tunisia in their last group game looking to progress to the Round of 16, per ESPN.

Percy Tau on South Africa's win

Speaking after the game, Tau disclosed what his teammates told him after a costly missed penalty against Mali in their opening game.

“They were disappointed because they thought I was going to score, so it was not nice, they gave me the responsibility,” he said via iDiski Times.

Tau received criticism for the missed penalty but responded by scoring one against Namibia. He says they are staying humble despite the big win.

“We’ll try and give everything, we’ll try, I don’t think this win gives us the feeling to be over the moon or to feel that we are doing great, we’re still grounded.”

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“We’ll try to do everything in the last game because we know it can go either way – so we don’t want to be on the out with the last game so we’ll try and give everything and hopefully we win."

Pitso Mosimane defends Percy Tau

Sports Brief earlier reported on former Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane backing Percy Tau following his penalty miss against Mali.

Tau apologized for the miss, then buried South Africa's penalty against Namibia. Mosimane acknowledged Tau's apology.

"Real men are not shy to apologise. We have to move on, and we can still qualify beyond the group stages. We have to play the same or better than the way we played in the first half."