Broos On Tau’s Absence: Fans Killed Him 

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has revealed the reasons behind the omission of Al Ahly star Percy Tau from his latest 23-man squad for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers double-header against Congo- Brazzaville, saying fans’ criticism has killed the former Mamelodi Sundowns attacker. 

Tau’s future with the national team is in doubt as he was first dropped for the FIFA series matches against Andorra and Algeria in March before subsequently missing out for the AFCON qualifiers clashes against Uganda and South Sudan last month. 

This comes after the 30-year-old forward endured a dip in form after the continental showpiece in Ivory Coast, which the Belgian mentor attributes to the criticism the player faced for his below-par AFCON display by his standards. 

“I don’t know, I see things happening, but I will repeat it, after AFCON they [fans] killed him, they killed him and it was not fair, ” Broos said. 

“It was not fair, okay, he was not the decisive player, he was not fantastic, but he did his job. And after I didn’t call him for Algeria, he told me, ‘But coach it’s part of the game’. ” 

“Yes, it’s part of the game but [the criticism] is in your mind, don’t tell me it’s not in your mind. He came back against Zimbabwe and Nigeria and again it started.” 

Furthermore, Broos believes that the constant speculation on Tau’s future during the off-season hurt the player’s performances and has revealed the Mamelodi Sundowns academy graduate asked to be excused from the latest squad due to personal reasons. 

“Then there were the troubles or the problems with Al Ahly, he didn’t play certain moments anymore. They talked about him leaving, but he’s not leaving, now I heard they want him to stay, so, it’s yes or no, yes or no. The fact that he’s not here now is for personal reasons. Personal issues.

“He asked me, ‘Coach, please don’t call me, I’m not ready to come because of personal issues’. ” What can I say? Do you have to come? Then he’s not ready, maybe he has to look for another team where he will be happier and have fewer problems. 

“So that we have at least the old well-known Percy Tau from a few years ago and I hope for it, we know the qualities of Percy can help us a lot. But we also have to be honest, and evaluate the performances with the national team, it’s never been one of his qualities as a player, he can do more for the national team I’m sure.” 

Bafana will host Congo-Brazzaville at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Friday, before jetting off to Congo for the return leg of the double-header clash on 15 October.