Percy Tau Turns 28: Celebrating the South African Star’s Birthday With 6 Soccer Facts You Need To Know

Percy Tau Turns 28: Celebrating the South African Star’s Birthday With 6 Soccer Facts You Need To Know

Byron Pillay
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:02 PM
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  • Talented South African star Percy Tau is currently setting the Egyptian Premier League and CAF Champions League alight
  • Percy Tau has only ever signed for Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa but has wowed crowds with his performances abroad
  • Percy Tau is currently signed to Al Ahly in Egypt but also played in the English Premier League and in Belgium

Percy Tau is only 28, but the talented South African star has experienced a lot of ups and downs in his footballing career.

The Al Ahly winger has gone from the streets of Witbank to the bright lights of Europe and is now in the land of the Pharaohs in Egypt.

Percy Tau, 28, Celebrating, South Africa, Star, Birthday, Soccer, Sport, Football, Al Ahly, Club Brugge, Anderlecht, Mamelodi Sundowns, Egypt, England, English Premier League
From Mamelodi Sundowns to Brighton & Hove Albion and now Al Ahly, Percy Tau has experienced the highs of football. Image: Stringer/AFP/ Mike Hewitt/ Adam Haneen.
Source: Getty Images

Percy Tau may not be plying his trade on South African shores anymore, but he continues to turn heads with performances for Al Ahly. His recent stellar outings have also attracted the attention of clubs in Europe once again.

To honour his 28th birthday, we check out six soccer-related facts about the South African star.

1. Percy Tau is a product of Mamelodi Sundowns

Tau made his professional debut with Masandawana in 2014 after coming up from the reserve team. During his time with the Brazilians, he went on to make over 100 appearances for the side.

2. Percy has only played for two South African sides

Percy Tau made his debut for Mamelodi Sundowns in 2014 and never signed for another South African thus far in his career. The only other team he played for in Mzansi was during a brief loan spell at Witbank Spurs.

3. Tau isn’t the only footballer in his family

The Al Ahly winger has seven siblings and isn’t the only footballer in his family. One of his brothers, Dumisani, is a forward for Royal Eagles. He also had another older brother who played for Polokwane City. Sadly his brother, Mogau Tshehla, passed away in a car crash in 2018.

4. Percy Tau has won numerous titles and trophies

Percy Tau knows what it’s like to be a winner. During his time in South Africa, he won the league title twice with Sundowns and shared the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot award. He also is a CAF Champions League winner with the Brazilians.

He then picked up trophies while in Belgium, being crowned a League Champion with Club Brugge and winning a Player of the Year trophy with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. At Al Ahly, he’s earned a CAF Super Cup trophy and is on course to win his first Egyptian League title and CAF Champions League title with the club.

5. Tau is valued at € 3 million (R50 million)

Currently, TransferMarkt.com values Percy Tau at € 3 million. The Al Ahly star was once valued at € 6 million and if recent performances are anything to go by, Tau could soon be reaching those heights once again.

6. Percy Tau played in the English Premier League and Belgium

Many South African players have gone on to catch the eye of English sides and Percy Tau is no different. While at Mamelodi Sundowns, Tau was bought by Brighton & Hove Albion, but it was not the fairy tale transfer many hoped it would be. Tau could not secure a work VISA immediately and had to be loaned out to three different Belgian clubs while waiting for approval to play in the Premier League.

Tau was loaned out Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Club Brugge and then Anderlecht. Tau was finally reaching the heights of his career in Europe as Anderlecht secured a UEFA Champions League spot, but then Brexit happened, The Mail & Guardian reported. Brighton & Hove Albion made use of the recall option in his loan agreement and Tau returned to play in England.

Currently, Percy Tau plays for Al Ahly in the Egyptian Premier League, where he has joined up with fellow South African and former mentor, Pitso Mosimane.

Percy Tau makes CAF Champions League team of the week after impressive performance against Algeria's ES Setif

The plaudits continue to roll in for Bafana and Al Ahly star Percy Tau. Percy Tau has earned praise from former Al Ahly players and coach Pitso Mosimane after his performance in the CAF Champions League.

Percy Tau was in fine form as he scored twice and created two goals as Al Ahly beat ES Setif 4-0 in the first leg of the CAF Champions League semi-final, Sports Brief earlier reported.

Tau’s efforts earned him a place in the CAF Champions League’s team of the week. Tau is one of six Al Ahly players to make the team, iDiski Times confirmed. Tau’s impressive showing in the game has also earned him praise from former club legend, Wael Gomaa.

Authors
Byron Pillay photo
Byron Pillay
Byron Pillay is a sports writer and Head of the Department at Sports Brief (joined in 2022) with over 10 years of experience in community journalism and a degree in journalism from Caxton's Cadet School.
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DStv PremiershipPitso MosimaneSouth Africa